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Summer has come and gone. I haven’t posted since the beginning of June. But I am back to share because it is very theraputic for me and helps me process events and thoughts.

Much has happened since my last post, which I will share over the next few posts. One thing I have been dealing with this summer and now into fall is being misunderstood. Do you ever feel like you are doing the right thing but some other people misinterpret what you’ve said or done? They don’t have all the facts and don’t try to understand.

I think Jesus was and is the most misunderstood person. Yet He didn’t demand to be understood. He provided opportunities for others to understand Him, but He didn’t force it.

As a boy, Mary and Joseph realized that Jesus was not with them on the return journey back to Nazareth from celebrating the Passover in Jerusalem. They turned around and went back to Jerusalem to find Jesus in the temple asking questions. Mary said to Jesus, “Son, why have you treated us like this? Your father and I have been anxiously searching for you.” “Why were you searching for me?” Jesus asked. “Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house?” Mary and Joseph did not understand what he was saying to them. He did return with his parents to Nazareth. (Luke 2:46-52) His parents knew Jesus was Son of the Most High (Luke 2:31) but they did not understand what that really meant. His own parents didn’t fully understand Him.

A crowd had gathered one time to hear Jesus’ teaching. Mark 3 tells us that when his family heard about this, they went to take charge of him becasue they thought he was out of his mind. (v.21) His siblings had played with him, went to school and synagogue with him, worked with him, shared meals together year after year. They only knew him as their brother and they had no idea he could be more. Jesus’ own family did not understand him.

When Jesus went to his home town of Nazareth, he began teaching in the synagogue. The people were amazed at what he was saying and his miraculous powers. They asked, “Isn’t this the carpenter’s son?” (Matthew 13:53-58) They did not mean it as a compliment but a slur. These people had seen Jesus grow up and knew his parents. They couldn’t get past that, therefore, couldn’t believe his message. They did not allow themselves to see beyond what they knew. Jesus’ hometown didn’t understand him.

We see numerous times in the Gospels that Jesus was misunderstood by his followers. The disciples did believe that Jesus ministered in the power and wisdom of God’s Spirit. (John 12:15-17) Yet, they still did not understand some of the things he said or did. They failed to recognize the symbolizism in Jesus’ teachings and actions. (John 13:7-13) They failed to perceive Jesus’ real mission and his resurection. (John 6:18; 20:9) Even after the resurrection, the disciples still didn’t understand. John 20:9 states that they still did not understand from Scriptures that Jesus had to rise from the dead. Mary Magdalene was confused at the empty tomb thinking that the body had been moved to another location. Jesus’ own followers did not understand him.

After the resurrection, the disciples still needed to have Christ open the Scriptures to them (Luke 24:7). So the risen Lord sent them the Holy Sprirt to them to open their eyes, mind and hearts of the truths of Jesus. The disciples did remember all of Jesus’ teachings and testified about Christ to the world. The books in the New Testament are testiment to their undersstanding.

Jeus kept his course even though his was misundertood, even killed. Christ’s ministry on earth was fullfilment of Old Testament prophesy. It was all part of God’s plan. When I am misunderstood I feel a need to go and explain or justify myself. I wonder why that is? I wonder if it is my pride making sure others really understand where I was coming from. I wonder if it is because I want to control the situation. Or maybe becauseI am so concered about what other people think of me.

I can try to “set some people straight” but some people aren’t going to change no matter how hard you try. Here’s how I am dealing with being misunderstood: seek the Lord for guidance and wisdom. Keep on the path he has placed me. Don’t get discouraged, because God is in control and he provides comfort and peace. Check my heart attitude and motives. Do I need to go to someone for clarification?

it’s tough being misunderstood. I can’t image how Jesus felt with so many people misunderstanding him. Yet, he rose above it and kept doing His Father’s will.

Are you misunderstood?

Lord, help me seek you always, trusting you for guidance and widsom. Help me stay the course even though I am misunderstood.

On the journey,

Trish

1 lump…4 surgeries…12 rounds of chem…37 rounds of radiation…Being a survivor…PRICELESS!

Now...This survivor kicked cancer's butt! — Now…This survivor kicked cancer’s butt!

In May 2009, I was diagnosed with stage 3 invasive lobular breast cancer. a On June 1 I had a bilateral mastectomy. I feel blessed to be among the 84% of women to survive to 5 years. I have spent some time reading through my journal and blog posts from that time. I repeatedly posted that I felt God’s peace through the journey and I felt that God was my rock, hope and strength. He is sovereign and His ways are best. I also had tremendous support from friends and family.

Verses that ministered to me during that time and continue to be some of my favorites are:

When I am weak He (God) is strong. Proverbs 19:21

Cast your cares on The Lord and He will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken. Psalm 55:22

I, your God, have a firm grip on you and I’m not letting go. I’m telling you; “Don’t panic I’m right here to help you.” Isaiah 41:13

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, that transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7

My friend gave me this bracelet during my treatment. I have worn it everyday since. " Änd lo, I am with you always. .Matthew 28:20 — My friend gave me this bracelet during my treatment. I have worn it everyday since. ” Änd lo, I am with you always. .Matthew 28:20

I found pages of blessings where I chose to focus on the positives instead of dwelling on the situation. “I am giving thanks today for being sore because I know the chemo is doing its thing.” “One benefit of having no hair is that it rained today and I didn’t have to worry about my hairdo!” “Cancer has been a blessing because it has caused me to stop (the crazy busy scjhedule) and assess what is important. I am not defined by what I do but by my being. I am learning to be still and know God.”

It was during my treatment that I was doing a Beth Moore study called “Daniel.” Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego were thrown into the firery furnance for refusing to bow down and worship the golden image of King Nebuchadnezzar. Beth gave three different scenarios when people of God face a firey trail:

!. We can be delivered FROM the fire. When that happens our faith is built. We could have our illness removed miraculously and give God glory.

2. We can be delivered THROUGH the fire. When that happend our faith is refined. We go through the illness and emerge recovered.

3. We can be delivered BY the fire into His arms. When that happens our faith is perfected. We succumb to the illness and go into the presence of God.

I wrote “In all honesty I am not ready at this point to face scenario C.” Two years later Neal was in situation 3. He was delivered into God’s arms and his faith is perfected. I still don’t understand why some are healed and some are not. It is a mystery of God but I do know that His ways are best. I can trust Him.

I could have chosen to become bitter or angry during my illness (and beyond) but I would have been stuck and miserable. It is scarey to step out and trust God. I had to give up the idea that I was in control, that my business was a good thing, my ways were best, that God is someone that gives us what we want. In all these NO! I chose to open myself to allow God to be ruler of my life and to move freely within me to do things within me and through me. I still have my days when I want to be in control and get angry when things are hard. God loves me anyway. It is through my brokedness that God is transforming me to be used for His purposes.

I found this in my journal and I’m sorry I don’t know where it came from:

“Life is like a path. At times it is straight and smooth–at other times it turns and becomes uneven. We stay on this path because it’s here we find joy in the journey.”

God has us each on our own unique journey. He goes before us and will be with us. He will never leave us or forsake us. We don’t need to be afraid. (Deut. 31:8)

On the journey,

Trish

Misunderstood

5 years cancer free!