Misunderstood.

A couple of weeks ago I read this quote on twitter by my pastor:

“If you are not willing to be misunderstood, you’re not ready to be used by God.”

Being the people-pleaser person that I am, this truth really struck me hard. It’s re-shaped my thinking. It’s allowed me to experience a new freedom that I never have before.

What I have discovered over the past few years is, there’s always going to be someone who doesn’t like us. This is hard for a girl who likes to be best-friends with…everyone. [smile]

I believe that the further we get along the road of life the more people we will meet that…just don’t like us.

But what I have also seen is that behind those feelings of dislike is typically a reason that causes us to be misunderstood by the person doing the listening. Maybe there is jealousy, their own fear or even bitterness in their life that causes them to hear something different that what is being said.

Here’s what I mean: [since 80% of statistics are made up on the spot, I’m going to shoot a statistic out to you now] 75% of what we say could go two directions.

1. Here’s what I really mean and 2. Here’s what you heard.

Let’s walk out some of these examples:

What’s said: “I’m going to work out.”

What I’m really doing: Working-out
What you could hear: I’m trying to lose weight

What’s said: “My daughter just got all A’s! “

What I was really thinking: I’m super proud of my child
What you could hear: I think my child is better than yours

What’s said: “I’m really busy this week.”

What I really am: Busy
What you could hear: I don’t have time for you

These examples could go on and on and they could get even more serious when it’s comes to the different places God is taking each of us in our lives. Because sometimes…people just want to hear what they want to hear, and it doesn’t matter what is really said.

I actually think we do the same thing to God. We take bits and pieces from sermons, books, quotes and make them fit to what we would like to accomplish in life. We like to hear what we like to hear sometimes.

But I’ve been thinking about my own words and my ears.

And how I don’t just want what I say to be fluffy, or to make a person feel all warm and fuzzy because I want to be best-friends with everyone. But on the opposite side -are there things that God is speaking to me that I don’t want to hear because I want to keep things all warm and fuzzy with Him?

So yes, being willing to be mis-understood in order to speak the truth in someone’s life. But also be willing to see past what you want to hear in order to be used by God.