9-26-09
Redding, CA
2:50 PM

There are certain lessons that we as believers can only learn through experiencing trials.  There is a kind of strength and faith that can only arise from within us as we embrace the fire of God’s love and also the fire of tribulation and persecution.  The early church suffered a type of persecution that is still evident in many places across the planet today—but for those of us in the Western church, there seems to be a different type of persecution.

The type I am referring to is the kind that is birthed out of misunderstanding and poor communication.  We all encounter situations where we are not heard clearly—whether it is from loved ones, pastors, leadership, bosses, siblings, etc.  The question is not whether we will be misunderstood—the question is what we will do when we are misunderstood.   The trials that come along with misunderstanding are many—for they are not only inner trials but they almost always affect relationships with those around you as well.

Words are spoken that are later regretted, or offense forms that can take root and poison the lives of anyone who comes into contact with them.  Gossip and slander can come quickly in the form of “needing to seek counsel” or “wanting others to intercede”, when really it is just spiritualizing reasons to talk badly of others.  The way of the King and His Kingdom is outlined powerfully and explicitly in the Sermon on the Mount…we are to pray for all, speaking well of even those who we might be tempted to consider our enemies.  God is willing that none should perish, so therefore should our motive be that the goodness and life of God prevails over every work of darkness, division, and misunderstanding.

Joseph was a dreamer and was excited about the things that God was showing to him.  The mistake that many of us have made is that revealing our dreams from Heaven to others is not always the wise or prudent thing to do.  This certainly was the case in Joseph’s life:

“Joseph had a dream, and when he told it to his brothers, they hated him all the more.”
- Gen. 37:5

The issue here is not that Joseph had a dream.  The issue arose when he told it to his brothers.  Many of us have received revelations straight from God that pertain directly to the destiny that He has for us—and many of us have subsequently shared these dreams and ideas with our “brothers” (or sisters) in the faith.  Anyone who has had this experience knows for certain that our brothers (and sisters) are not always too thrilled to hear of the plans that we believe God has for us.

This type of misunderstanding and offense can come from a poverty mentality.  When we get jealous of other believers or lash out at them for the plans and dreams that they have for the Kingdom of God, it is because we ourselves are being influenced by a mindset or paradigm that causes us to think that God plays favorites.  While Jesus certainly had an ‘inner circle’ of disciples whom He seemed to have a closer relationship with, I believe that we all have that kind of invitation for intimacy with Him if we will answer it.  This poverty mentality also leads to the fear of lack, a crippling mindset that paralyzes its victim with so much fear that God won’t provide (even though it is His name and His nature)…rendering the victim mostly ineffective and useless for advancing the Kingdom of God.

The Scriptures say in 1 John 4:18, “There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.” Those who are bound by this poverty mindset have not realized yet that God has made them perfect, accepted, and divinely loved in His sight.  This fear is then translated into words and actions and projected on others around them when those around them are operating in levels of faith in the character and nature of God that they do not yet understand or experience due to their poverty mentality.

The way to get through the minefield of offenses, resentment, and bitterness in the midst of these times of misunderstanding is to choose to bless those who curse you…to pray for your persecutors…to release the right to understand into the hands of God and allow the peace that passes understanding to guard your heart and mind in Christ despite being misunderstood by those around you.  In order to receive the peace that passes (supersedes, is superior over) understanding, we must surrender the right to understand.  It certainly is not an easy thing to do.  It is something that requires the crucifixion of self and our own ideologies of what is right and what is good and instead allowing God to be the vindication that we seek.  Reconciliation must always be the goal for relationships that have been attacked by the dividing schemes of the enemy.

And so we press forward…forgiving, releasing life and love, blessing despite misunderstanding.  It is the way of the resurrection life.  It is the way of the warrior.  It is the way of Truth.