What to Do When Misunderstood

1 Samuel 1:15
Hannah replied “I have not been drinking wine or beer; I was pouring out my soul to the Lord. Do not take your servant for a wicked woman.”

How is it possible that our deepest devotion can look so shallow and even offensive to others? How can a woman crying out to God for help be mistaken for a wino by a kindly old priest?

Here’s how: Our motives are hidden. Our actions are in plain view. And every onlooker sees only what the angle of his vision lets him see. Result: a much higher likelihood of misunderstanding than most of us are prepared for.

Hannah is not the first or last to be misunderstood in her passion for God. She stands in a long and venerable line:

• David danced for God and his wife was disgusted as she watched (2 Sam. 6:14-16).
• The tribes living on the east side of the Jordan River built an altar of devotion to God. The tribes living on the west side thought it was an idol and the two factions nearly went to war over the misunderstanding (Josh. 22:24-27).
• Jesus healed the sick in the name of God and religious leaders called him a devil (Mk. 3:22).
• The Apostles stepped out of the upper room touched by the Spirit’s fire and wind and the crowds accused them of drunkenness, like Hannah (Acts 2:12-16).
• Paul shared the gospel and his opponents tried their hardest to discredit him (1 Thess. 2:1-16).
• I can add my name and I am sure that you can add yours!

So, when it happens to you be ready.

Don’t be surprised. People can’t see your heart. They can only judge your actions which they usually do before they have all the facts. It’s not fair, but it is life. And misunderstanding can come from the least expected places. For Hannah it was her priest and for David his wife who did not respect or understand their devotion.

Decide not to retaliate. It will hurt, so be slow to react. If there is truth in the criticism, accept it and change. But if the challenge is just wrong – as it was for Hannah – you need to speak up. Sometimes everything is quickly fixed (Hannah, Tribes of Israel) but other times the animosity goes deeper and the pain gets worse (David, Jesus). Whatever happens learn, grow and keep going forward. Every criticism is an opportunity to flush selfishness out of our systems and to double our resolve to walk with God.

Dial up your passion. That’s what David did. It is what Hannah, Jesus and Paul did. You can do it too. Sometimes it will be wise to change the way you express your devotion, but you must not reduce your passion for God. Do not let other people determine your spiritual ceiling.

Spiritual devotion is not a spectator sport! Unlike football, devotion to God gives very little pleasure to those who watch but do not participate. Ironically we’re not talking here about people with no spirituality. Sane worship can inspire unbelievers (1 Cor 14:24-25). We are talking about people with faith: Hannah’s priest, David’s wife, Israel’s brothers, Jesus’ religious peers, the Apostles' congregation and Paul’s colleagues. That’s why misunderstanding hurts. It often comes from people who should be participating and celebrating with you. And that’s why we need to be ready in advance.

Questions

• When did you last experience misunderstanding? How did you react? What would you do differently? Or the same?
• What strategies have you learned for dealing with the hurt of being misunderstood?
• Please leave a comment.

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