Being Misunderstood

Right now, in lieu of meeting at someone's house for our small group each week, we're meeting at the church with about eight other small groups...all going through a program our pastor developed, called "Discovering Community." It's a really fantastic time where we eat dinner together, listen to our pastor share about a specific topic (things like "Is Jesus really God?" "How do I read the Bible?" "What is worship?" etc) and then have discussion around our tables based on the talk given by the pastor.

Last night, our pastor talked about reading the Bible (how and why). It's all things I've heard before...but were so valuable to hear again. Then, our pastor gave us some practical application time, where we all read and responded to a specific passage. Last night's passage was Genesis 3.

So, using the accrostic, "S.O.A.P.," we each took time to read Genesis 3. (S - Scripture, O - Observation, A - Application, P - Prayer). The verses that stood out to me were verses 4-5 ("You will not surely die," the serpent said to the woman. "For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil." You can read the entire chapter here) ... and I observed how easy it was for the enemy to attack the character of God and His good intentions for Adam and Eve...and how easily and quickly they believed and agreed with what the enemy told them.

And, I realized just how easy it is for me to get tangled in the same thing - to be like Eve and easily doubt God's goodness and good intentions for me. It happens more often than I'd like to admit.

Then, today, I had an interaction with someone where I was misunderstood. Where my motives and intentions were doubted and questioned. This person misunderstood me in a fairly major area. And, it's devastating. It hurts so much. This is someone that I thought knew me really well...and to realize that he/she doesn't...and apparently doesn't care to...wow, there aren't words for the disappointment and pain. And, as I was processing with Jesus earlier today, I realized that it's exactly how I've made Him feel each time I misunderstand or doubt Him, His character and His motives. That I say I know Him really well...but then I doubt and misunderstand. And, that realization was devastating too.

My prayer is that I never make Him (or anyone else for that matter) feel like I did/do today.