ODJ: verbal strikes
November 26, 2011
Lord, you always give me justice when I bring a case before you (v.1).
READ: Jeremiah 12:1-13
I grew up under the weight of a verbally abusive grandfather. To this day, years after his death, I still struggle with ramifications of things he said to me and how I responded.
During my teenage years, I took my grandfather’s endless criticism with a grain of salt and made every effort to respond to him in a gentle Christlike manner. But as he relentlessly aggravated me, and provoked me to anger (Ephesians 6:4; Colossians 3:21), my defenses wore down and I began to verbally strike back at him—demanding that he stop heaping guilt and shame on me.
What starts in the home often trickles into all of life. My emotional reactions that began as a way to defend myself against my grandfather soon became the way I responded to almost anyone who threatened or offended me.
Such habits are hard to break, and I’m certain I have a lifetime of work ahead of me in dealing with this issue. But I also have hope thanks to friends who have stood by me and have helped me to experience change and healing.
When the prophet Jeremiah complained to God about the way people were treating him and he asked God to do something about it, the Lord replied, “If racing against mere men makes you tired, how will you race against horses?” (Jeremiah 12:5).
I’m learning that God permits us to bring our struggles and complaints about others to Him (v.1; Psalm 86:1-7). He also wants us to know victory through Jesus Christ, not by retaliating with harsh words or actions.
God has a purpose for each of us, and He doesn’t want our work, ministry, and relationships impaired by the words and actions of “mere men.” Join me in asking for God’s help in responding appropriately to difficult people and situations. —Roxanne Robbins
How do you typically deal with verbal attacks from others? What type of responses will honor God and be best for the people who are lobbing the harsh words your way?
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