When You’re Hit from Behind
Series: Imperfect Women Living for Christ, Part 3
Part 1
Part 2
(Not) Ready-Aim-Fire: Hit without warning!
Have you ever been in the circumstances when suddenly people around you were, for ease of explanation, throwing stones as you were simply living life? We know what to do when we hurt someone, when it’s our sin that affects them (repent, confess and ask forgiveness I John 1:9), but what do we do when when we find ourselves at the receiving end of an unjustified initiative? Sometimes I wonder if I have more practical experience being hit by the unsuspecting than I should. I find myself crying out to the Lord and asking Him to search my heart and show me if, and if so what, I am doing wrong. Have I caused this person to choose me as aim to his or her fiery darts?
Does Your Husband try to hurt you with his words or actions?
Can you relate? Or maybe, like so many other God-fearing women, it’s your own husband who way too often casts his cutting words or slighting behavior in your direction, for no good reason whatsoever. Slander and personal vendetta thrusted directly our way will sting no matter its source, but when the aim comes from ones we allow into our bubble-even the outermost circle of such-whew, that’s a different kind of pain. Our most personal relationships, by design, are forged around a willing trust and some level of intimacy. As it goes, trust and intimacy are necessary for any kind of relationship to grow, but it will leave us vulnerable every time.
War and peace
We pick up our armor in times of war, but in times of perceived rest or peace we live unguarded. Suddenly, without warning, bullseye! We’ve been targeted and hit.
Hurt Wanes and Anger Rears its Ugly Head
The pain sets in swiftly and with great fury. In the shock of it all, we are stunned and amazed as we try to wrap our heads around what and why this is happening. Our minds can’t think too straight, this person was suppose to love us, after all. How do we fix that which we had no part in creating? What do we do with the relationship now? When will the pain end? Will the pain end? Sometime while we’re trying to wrap our head around what just happened, hurt’s climax begins to wane and anger rears its head.
When not to turn the other cheek
Here we could talk about the hundreds of biblical explanations to turn the other cheek, to shower with doing good things, to show grace, as we should at times, because we are all sinners; there’s a rich truth to glean in doing just this in so many circumstances. Love covers a multitude of sin, and what a blessing when we offer forgiveness, love, and grace and a relationship is saved (and even sometimes when it’s not). However, that is altogether different, instead I am talking about the one who has initiated his or her attack, who recoils unrepentantly and continues with hurtful behavior. So, what do we do?
First, we pray.
It’s always a good place to start, especially in times of pain, on our knees crying out to the Lord. Lord Help. And He does. We also should turn to His Word. He has something to say about the kinds of people we’re talking about. The ones who continually dig up evil and run their mouths viscously against us. (Join me back for part 2 and we’ll look into God’s Word to see more of what He tells us to do when we find ourselves at the receiving end of these attacks.)
