By: Rex Stump
We don’t see it at a younger age level, but if you are a division 1 athlete or a professional athlete walking into the opposing team’s stadium, you will hear criticism, angry words, cursing, and worse.
It doesn’t matter who you are or what you’ve done, people will unjustly hate you. I’m convinced that if Mother Theresa was wearing the opposing jersey, walking through the tunnel onto the field, even she would have curse words and trash thrown at her.
Have you ever been unjustly criticized? Have you felt like the crowds are cheering against you? Have you had someone in your life, haunt you with disapproval?
Whether it is a crowd of people or one person, it’s hard to keep moving forward when you feel like they are trying to knock you down…or out!
In 2 Samuel 16:5-14, King David flees his kingdom, because his rebellious son Absalom has taken over. As David and his men flee town to a place of safety, they pass through a small town.
A man by the name of Shimei comes out and cursing, yelling, and throwing stones at the king and the king’s officers and all the mighty warriors who surrounded him. David’s men ask for permission to cut of Shimei’s head to silence him, but David says no.
David feels that if God is allowing this, there is a reason, and that God will take care of it. 2 Samuel 16:13 says, “So David and his men continued down the road, and Shimei kept pace with them on a nearby hillside, cursing and throwing stones and dirt at David.”
Can you picture this? The king has all the power in the world to eliminate this man, but he doesn’t. He is being yelled at, cursed, and rocks pelting him…but he keeps on walking.
How far down the road did Shimei keep pace? How long? We don’t know. But we do know that David is going to leave it in God’s hands. Honestly, if I were in David’s shoes, I don’t know if I would have done the same.
Sometimes criticism, just or unjust, will come our direction. God knows what you are enduring and although you may have the right to quiet that person, are you willing to leave the vindication to God?
In John 16, Jesus told the disciples that just because of their faith, they will face trouble and persecution. What did he encourage them to do?
Jesus also said in John 16:33, “I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”
When troubles, challenges, and unfair criticism falls upon you, don’t be surprised. It will be hurtful and confusing but keep walking in your faith. Pray for peace, take heart, trust God, and keep walking in your faith!
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Rex Stump is the Area Director for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and serves as a Pastor at True North Church in Wauseon, Ohio.