Recently, someone hurt my feelings. Hah! Now that some time has passed, I can objectively say that the comments uttered to my face were not meant to be a huge malignment of my character. However, the words spoken were based on assumptions about my intentions, and to be honest, the interaction stung a bit. Sadly, I’ve been replaying those words a little too often in my mind – even stacking them on top of other unthoughtful comments from previous conversations.
And then, a reality check.
Yesterday, my heart broke as I learned the news that the rest of America is buzzing about: Charlie Kirk’s death. Suddenly, my little problem – being hurt because someone tried to “put me in my place” without actually knowing my heart – seemed so small. I’ve experienced criticisms and more, but never death threats, much less an attempt on my life. I cannot fathom how Erika and Charlie’s two children will walk this painful path in the coming days.
Proverbs 19:22 says, “Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.”
This little nugget of wisdom has been a support for me today as I buckle under the sad reality of the state of our country. Our forefathers founded the colonies 250 years ago so that their children’s children could worship God all the days of their lives – not murder each other because of fits of rage or differing ideologies/political views.
Like David did in so many of his psalms, I’m praying that justice will be served now. That evil will be squelched today. That God and His character will not be maligned any longer.
I’m not exactly sure what it looks like for the Lord’s purpose to prevail this side of heaven. Sometimes, it feels like He’s being so silent in the face of evil. But the comforting truth is that God wins in the end. I rest in the fact that His timing is perfect.
Ultimately, every knee will bow before Him. Oh, the harvest is ripe! May I continue to see those around me as human beings, made in God’s image and in desperate need of Him. And may I always find ways to courageously share the Good News of the abundant life available in Jesus Christ.
The Mitcheners 
Yes God wins!
Amen!
So good – thank you!
🫶
Was I the one who hurt your feelings? I’m so sorry if I did!!!
❤ You're good! I do hate conflict with all of my being, but if something is really an issue that can be resolved, I want to address those things in a conversation. All that to say, the feelings are currently intact. 😉
The bigger point of this post is that I want to continue to keep the main things as the main things: allowing God to hold my frustrations (no matter how minor they are), praying for our hurting nation, and loving my family well.
A friend once told me about a book she read: Unoffendable by Brant Hansen. I don't think I'll agree with everything in it, but it's intriguing to think through what it looks like to reject the "right" to be offended.
And lastly, I think these recent “hurt feelings” experiences have reminded me how important my words truly are. I’ve been trying to use this time as an opportunity to evaluate how I’ve been speaking to others. Yes, I believe I can state my opinions in my interactions. But I should definitely be operating from a place of genuine care for those around me instead of taking opportunities to make passive aggressive comments in order to get my point across.