Disappointed
And all the city was disturbed; and the people ran together, seized Paul, and dragged him out of the temple; and immediately the doors were shut. ~ Acts 21:30
Have you ever been in the middle of a misunderstanding? What about in a place of trying to do the right thing only to be misunderstood and even having those you respect speak against you in some way? It can be very disappointing and also discouraging.
I have been in this position at times in my life. One particular instance was when a co-worker was feeling pressure from another department about a request she was given. When she was questioned about it, she put the blame of the additional cost on me because I was new. I didn’t try to defend myself, but I did feel betrayed by the whole situation. It really wasn’t a big deal, but I think if it ever happens again, I will take that person to the side and gracefully talk about it. Not to defend myself, but to bring honesty and trust back to the relationship.
In today’s passage, Paul was actually suffering a much worse scenario. He had gone back to Jerusalem and reported to the elders of the Church. They gave him instructions on what to do to be sure others did not have the wrong idea about him ministering to the Gentile nations he had just come from. He did all the right things and made sure to follow the directions explicitly, only to have a mob come against him, not even considering the steps he was following so he would not offend anyone. He actually found himself right in the middle of a riot, and not only that, but his life was being threatened before he even had a chance to defend himself or explain his position.
In life, it is possible to find yourself in predicaments that are no fault of your own, but you still have to maintain a right heart and attitude. Even when others are behaving badly, you still answer for your own response. It is never justified based on other people’s actions. Your response is still to follow God’s Word and the Holy Spirit’s direction. As you read on in the book of Acts, you will see Paul face greater obstacles than ever before in his life. Through it all, he kept his focus on his mission and continued to encourage the churches even though he was wrongly imprisoned and taken before Caesar. Paul did not let his outward circumstances determine his inward heart posture. He was determined to complete his assignment no matter what was happening around him.
What about you? Do you let the voices of doubt and unbelief knock you off the course you have been called to? Maybe you are not even sure if you are on that journey yet. You can decide today to answer His call and begin to step into your life plan that God has for you.
Here are some steps you can take today to get started:
- Keep your heart right even when misunderstood. God sees your motives.
- Choose to respond with grace and peace instead of reacting in frustration.
- Seek God’s direction before speaking or acting when falsely accused.
- Pray for those who misunderstand you. It frees your heart from bitterness.
- Stay focused on your purpose even when circumstances are unfair.
Spend time in prayer asking God to help you respond in love when wrongly accused. Read a chapter of Acts each day to strengthen your faith and endurance. Journal how you see God working through difficult moments. Find a trusted person of faith to pray with you about your calling. These will help you keep your heart and attitude in line with God’s plan for your life.
Today I want to encourage you tostay steadfast when misunderstood. God is not unaware of what you face, and He will defend you in His timing. Your part is to walk in truth, humility, and perseverance. When you keep your eyes on Him, even misunderstandings can become divine opportunities for His light to shine through your life. If you have never received His gift of salvation, do it today by praying the prayer below. Jesus will come into your life and change you from the inside out.
Pray: God in heaven, I know I’m a sinner and I need a Savior. I want to turn away from my sinful life to the life You have planned for me. Please forgive my sins, cleanse me from my past, and make me new today. I know Your Son, Jesus died for me. I believe in my heart that You raised Him from the dead. At this very moment, I accept, confess, and proclaim Jesus as my personal Lord and Savior . . . to be Lord of my life from this day forward. I now have a right relationship with God my Father through this salvation in the blood of Jesus. I thank You for giving me Your Holy Spirit to guide me and to empower me to accomplish the things You have planned for my life in Jesus’ name, Amen
Today’s scripture reading: Acts 21:26-40
26 Then Paul took the men, and the next day, having been purified with them, entered the temple to announce the expiration of the days of purification, at which time an offering should be made for each one of them.
27 Now when the seven days were almost ended, the Jews from Asia, seeing him in the temple, stirred up the whole crowd and laid hands on him,
28 crying out, “Men of Israel, help! This is the man who teaches all men everywhere against the people, the law, and this place; and furthermore he also brought Greeks into the temple and has defiled this holy place.”
29 (For they had previously seen Trophimus the Ephesian with him in the city, whom they supposed that Paul had brought into the temple.)
30 And all the city was disturbed; and the people ran together, seized Paul, and dragged him out of the temple; and immediately the doors were shut.
31 Now as they were seeking to kill him, news came to the commander of the garrison that all Jerusalem was in an uproar.
32 He immediately took soldiers and centurions, and ran down to them. And when they saw the commander and the soldiers, they stopped beating Paul.
33 Then the commander came near and took him, and commanded him to be bound with two chains; and he asked who he was and what he had done.
34 And some among the multitude cried one thing and some another.
So when he could not ascertain the truth because of the tumult, he commanded him to be taken into the barracks.
35 When he reached the stairs, he had to be carried by the soldiers because of the violence of the mob.
36 For the multitude of the people followed after, crying out, “Away with him!”
37 Then as Paul was about to be led into the barracks, he said to the commander, “May I speak to you?”
He replied, “Can you speak Greek?
38 Are you not the Egyptian who some time ago stirred up a rebellion and led the four thousand assassins out into the wilderness?”
39 But Paul said, “I am a Jew from Tarsus, in Cilicia, a citizen of no mean city; and I implore you, permit me to speak to the people.”
40 So when he had given him permission, Paul stood on the stairs and motioned with his hand to the people. And when there was a great silence, he spoke to them in the Hebrew language, saying,
Journal:
- When was a time I felt misunderstood or falsely accused? How did I respond?
- What can I learn from Paul’s example about keeping my heart right under pressure?
- How can I show grace to someone who has disappointed me this week?
- What is one step I can take to stay focused on my purpose despite misunderstanding?
The Daily Dose 