Loving Splinters
How do you love splinters ~
One of my biggest struggles in life is splinters . . . dealing with difficult people. I allow people to get under my skin when cutting comments or snide remarks are made - I allow the hurt to fester and cause pain. I allow other's unkind actions to get under my skin - reliving the moment over and over resulting in a wound that feels raw and incurable.
In my search for healing, God led me to the prophet Jonah:
Jonah Chapter 1
God called Jonah to Ninevah, part of a rising empire that was hated and feared by him as well as the Israelite nation, to preach repentance. These evil people were splinters to God's chosen people. Jonah's response - run in the total opposite direction.
Jonah Chapter 2
After Jonah sacrificed himself in order to calm a terrible storm caused by his disobedience, he found himself in the belly of a great fish. In this setting, Jonah knew Who to call out to - from inside the fish Jonah prayed to the Lord his God. And to Nineveh he went.
Jonah Chapter 3
Typically it took 3 days to completely walk through this huge city, BUT on day 1 the NINEVITES BELIEVED!!! Even the king of this wicked city repented in humility.
Jonah Chapter 4
We find Jonah pouting over the salvation of a nation that flat out got under his skin! This man of God "was greatly displeased and became angry". He didn't want God to be gracious and compassionate, he wanted Abba to send calamity - bring down the hammer.
God's sense of humor really gets me sometimes. I'm minding my own business, reading my Bible, enjoying a hot cup of coffee when Abba decides to have church in my heart. As I'm contemplating Jonah, He led me to this verse in James:
With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God.
James 3:9 ESV
Excuse me . . . But, God do You know what _________ did, what they said, how they hurt me.
Then my fleshly mind went to the Psalms. Lord, that book is FULL of laments about David's splinters . So what gives?
Looking for a loophole in James' words, I started typing "What is the difference between laments and James 3:9" in the Google search bar. Friends, before I even hit enter, God said,
Laments are between you and Me. I created both you and your splinter. I love you both to death, come to ME. I am the ONE Who can guide you to peace.
Seek Me.
Selah
Jonah wasn't wrong, the Assyrians were evil people. We aren't wrong feeling hurt, angry, disappointed, frustrated with those who get under our skin. But instead of ruminating, trying to solve issues in our strength, we have to come to Abba in our rage, our woundedness, our helplessness so HE can heal the splinters' words/actions; otherwise, they remain in our hearts festering a toxic infection.
At the end of every lament are words of praise for a God Who sees, hears, cares, loves, and is so able to remove whatever gets under our skin! Share Your heart with Him and allow Him to do the impossible!!!
I started this blog August 12, 2022, and am in the process of learning the way to love splinters is only through THE WAY! He is able!
In dealing with “splinters”, Abba, teach me how to release and pray rather than react and prey ~
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