Let God be Your Defense

Do NOT Defend Yourself

This was one of the tough concepts for me to wrap my head around!  I thought it was my duty and my sacred battle ground to defend my honor when attacked.  We see these wars marching across our culture daily, in newspapers, magazines, on television, everywhere we look.  Acquisitions fly and the defense rises!  It seems so right........it was all I really knew!

What?  You can't be serious!  So, what do I do, just lay down and shrink back like I'm guilty when I'm certainly NOT?  That goes against everything I know and believe.

Let God be your Defense

That sounds all sweet and cuddly and fluffy and kind... but .... but.... but.... wait?   Really?  You know, if I don't defend myself by speaking the truth then they will assume that I'm guilty.

So, let them assume.  Really?  Does this mean I'm a total wimp now?  UGH, I can't do this one!!!!

What does it matter if they continue to accuse you and think you are something different from what you know is true?  Huummm......call me slow.....but it took some time to look at it from that angle.

I think my mentor finally agreed that I could reply with something like...."Is that how you see it?" 

Maybe she conceded that small piece of ground so she wouldn't loose me....I don't really know but what I do know is that she's exactly right.

The wars we fight daily are not in tanks loaded with artillery but with our words and actions.  Just lay it down, make it your own personal sacrifice to the Lord.  You don't have to prove anything.  Are we living for man's approval or for God's approval?  Yes, it's nice to get man's approval but it's not something we really need.  In time the true always emerges.  It may seem slow but "let it go."  

Maybe she was teaching me all about picking my battles or refusing to fight.

I remembered listening to the CDs from Graham Cooke on the Art of Thinking Brilliantly.   He's so funny---he tells of this man approaching him and saying that he was Graham's enemy because of some conflict in his theological beliefs.. Graham replied by saying, oh, no, that can't be so, it's Tuesday and I don't accept enemies on Tuesdays.  The man asked if he could return the following day to discuss the enemy situation but the funny part was that Graham said that it will then be Wednesday and he'd never accept an enemy on a Wednesday.  He just wasn't going there.....with anyone.

I've learned that it has a good deal to do with compassion and forgiveness.  As the heart transplant takes place and God is growing you and shaping you, you begin to see the flaws of others in a different light. Just like the picture of the old house above.  It has great memories and you feel compassion over it's apparent neglect. No longer will it upset and distract you or even upset you and make you feel like it's your job to fix.  You will be flooded with compassion and care and concern for others and you will immediately forgive them for any pain you felt.  That's where they are....it's okay....they are on their unique journey as well....perhaps some day they will discover the secret that peace floods in when you refuse to rise to your defense. 

Thanks for allowing me the honor of sharing with you.

Grace, peace and love to you and of course, Godspeed!