Can you let God be your defender? Although this is not easy, maybe this is what the Holy Spirit is prompting you to do in your situation. There are always going to be people in your life who misunderstand you and people who don’t like you for some reason. There will be people who complain about you, judge you, attack you, and lie about you. When you are misunderstood, we tend to fight back to defend ourselves.
Retaliation is the way of the world. It does not have to be that way. Let God be your defender during your time of need. Every time we are under attack, criticized, put down, or misunderstood we can choose to defend ourselves or let God do it. Which will it be? Who do you think can do a better job defending you? The Lord can!
Letting God Defend You Turns Away Pointless Conflict
Several years ago, I felt led by the Holy Spirit to move to a different ministry position at another church. Many people were not happy with this decision and expressed that to me verbally. The Lord gave me godly wisdom that I did not need to defend myself for following the guidance of the Holy Spirt and He would defend me. By letting the Lord defend me I avoided unnecessary conflict.
Nehemiah Looked to the Lord to Defend Him
Nehemiah was under constant attack by his enemies as he oversaw the rebuilding the wall in Jerusalem. They attacked Nehemiah by lies, intimidation, and deception. Nehemiah did not fight back but relied on the Lord for discernment and as his defender. Nehemiah 6:14 Remember, O my God, all the evil things that Tobiah and Sanballat have done. And remember Noadiah the prophet and all the prophets like her who have tried to intimidate me. [1] Nehemiah did not waste his time in worldly pursuits against his enemies but let the Lord deal with them in His way and His timing.
Psalm 62:5 Let all that I am wait quietly before God, for my hope is in him. 6 He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress where I will not be shaken. 7 My victory and honor come from God alone. He is my refuge, a rock where no enemy can reach me. [2]
A.W. Tozer once said, “I don’t have to fight. The Lord does the fighting for me, and He’ll do the same for you. He will be an enemy to your enemy and an adversary to your adversary and you’ll never need to defend yourself.”[3]
To hear how to let God be your defender, listen here:
https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/rebuilding-unfinished-hope-personal-attacks
[1,2] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation . Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers.
[3] https://www.incourage.me/2014/05/who-will-defend-me.html