Navigating Hurt with Truth by Nichole Suvar
Oh hey, short on time? No worries! I'd love to join you on your commute or daily walk/run, or shoot, even while you take care of that to-do list. We can't let these things get in the way of this friendship. It's just starting to get good! Click below to listen to the blogcast.
Have you ever had someone speak wrong of you...
Tarnish your reputation...
Or, treat you in a way you didn’t deserve?
How did you respond?
I believe this question deserves our attention and our reflection because we will be treated unjustly and endure moments when we are wrongly accused. Thankfully, though, we're not alone in this. David experienced this, too, and models how we can respond in a way which pleases God.
This week, I'm excited to introduce you to my friend, Nichole Suvar, who currently lives in Fort Wayne, IN, with her husband Paul, and their three children. Nicole is walking us through Psalm 43 so we can be better equipped when circumstances such as these arise.
Born out of her struggle with anxiety and depression, Nichole found help and solace in focusing on small moments of intentional living in everyday life. She desires for women to know that they are created for a purpose and that even the struggle of anxiety can be a tool to help point us to our Savior and live a life that brings Him glory. In hopes of encouraging others to take small moments of each day to intentionally seek after Jesus, in every area of their life, she has been sharing her journey of striving to live an intentional life on her website, The Intentional Life.
David hunkered down behind a boulder, gasping for breath and trying to slow his heart and mind. Once again, he was pursued. He had done nothing wrong. In fact, he had gone out of his way to go above and beyond to prove to his enemy that he meant no wrong. Yet, King Saul wanted him dead and was relentless in his pursuit.
You’ve most likely not had to hide in caves, lead a band of men devoted to protecting you, and navigate the tricky relationship with a king who wanted you dead. But, you’ve most likely had someone speak wrong of you, tarnish your reputation, or treat you in a way you didn’t deserve.
Psalm 43 is a heart’s cry for when we feel wrongly accused or treated unjustly. It’s only five verses long but it leads us through the process of crying out to God, seeking His truth, and resting in His promises.
In verses 1 and 2 David questions God,
...Defend my cause against an ungodly people, from the deceitful and unjust man deliver me!...Why have you rejected me? Why do I go about mourning because of the oppression of the enemy? - Psalm 43:1-2
Have you ever cried out to God like this? Though it’s tempting to stay there, wallowing in our self pity and hurtful feelings, God has a better plan for us.
In verses 3 and 4 David moves forward, past questions and into seeking truth,
Send out your light and your truth; let them lead me; let them bring me to your holy hill and to your dwelling! Then I will go to the altar of God, to God my exceeding joy, and I will praise you with the lyre, O God, my God. - Psalm 43:3-4
When we go to God’s word looking for His promises and when we come to Him in prayer with a humble heart, He will meet us there. He will speak into our hurt and show us He is a God of power, love, and mercy. It will lead us to a heart of peace and praise.
David came to that conclusion with his final verse of Psalm 43,
Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God. - Psalm 43:5
David moved from questioning God and wondering where He was, to asking questions of himself. When David sought after God, he found answers. He was shown that God is faithful to His own and will not leave them not vindicated. It wasn't necessarily in the timing that he wanted (David waited nearly 15 years to finally be crowned king), but God was faithful to David.
When we struggle with the questions of where God is in the middle of our hurt, let’s look to Psalm 43 and walk through the path that David took. Let’s bring our questions to God, knowing He can handle our inquiries. When we are looking for answers to those questions, let’s go to the source of truth. Dig into God’s word and be intentional with our prayer time.
Looking for quick one-verse answers will only give us a glimpse of all that God has to offer. Instead, let’s study the Bible, learn more about context, and meditate on God’s word. As we seek after God’s truth, may we find comfort in His promises that He is always faithful to His children. It may not take the path that we thought was best, but God always comes through for His own.
Now, It's Your Turn!
Before opening God's Word, take a moment to pray and ask God to meet you there. Then...
Read Psalm 43 a couple times. Highlight what stands out to you.
Circle verbs or specific wording you notice.
Then, write down a bullet point takeaway based on this. "I-statements" help make this personal. Think of this as a challenge statement.
God is not afraid of my questions. I can bring my concerns to Him, seek His truth through His word, and rest in His promise that He always takes care of children.
Then, jot down a question or two to think about today. You don't have to have the answer to this question now. And yield to the Holy Spirit - prayerfully ask God to search your heart and lead you to more truth and grow your faith through the Holy Spirit.
When was the last time my heart cried out with questions to God? Did I apply the process David did: questioning God, seeking God’s truth, and resting in His promises?
Again, we don't have to be Bible scholars and talk only in the thou's and art's of King James version to read this book ...because when we pray before we read, we are not alone. The Holy Spirit is with us, guiding and teaching us.
Praise God for this!
And praise God for refreshment as we are intentional to spend a summer in the Psalms together, for if we want His truth to ever be on our lips, it must first be planted in our hearts.
Our strength grows as we rely on strength from above. Our joy grows as we see God transforming us from the inside out. Our peace grows as we spend time in God's presence, and we find rest when we intentionally seek the Lord first in our lives, for the Lord is ever our portion.
Also, you can connect with Nichole on Instagram or Facebook and learn more about practical ways to live an intentional life by visiting her blog. You can also sign up to receive any of her free resources related to anxiety and intentional living here.
The good life, well it starts with a good day. Then another. Then another. Let's choose to live #TheGoodDay one day at a time.
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