It's happened to all of us. Something gets said (or not said) that is misunderstood. A reaction that wasn't expected, a word that came out wrong. Life is full of misunderstandings. Then if you add a dose of family drama, well now you've got something really explosive. If that's not enough, there's politics and religion. Now we have the makings of all-out-war. It's no longer a simple misunderstanding, but rather a battle that will leave someone wounded, injured, or rejected.

Ron and I went through a couple years of such misunderstanding, which resulted in close family members not even talking to each other. Sadly, the misunderstanding could have been resolved with a little compassion and understanding. Have you ever noticed when someone is right, there’s no talking them out of it? Yep, when you're THAT right, it's pretty hard to see you're NOT right, or that someone else's perspective might be valid!

Today while reading Scripture, I read about how Jesus’ parents brought him to the temple for the holy offering to God. A man named Simeon was there and he blessed Jesus. Then he went on to bless Mary and Joseph. In Luke 2:33-35Simeon said to Mary: "This child marks both the failure and the recovery of many in Israel, a figure misunderstood and contradicted--the pain of a sword-thrust through you---" (MSG).

This verse caused me to think about our current times. If Jesus was misunderstood and contradicted, what are the chances we will be too, especially if we are living lives to honor Him? Speaking from personal experience, the pain of betrayal and wrongful judgment can feel like a sword being thrust through our hearts, especially when it comes from those we love most dearly. The final line in this Scripture is what really hit me..."But the rejection will force honesty, as God reveals who they really are."

We are in a season when honesty seems like a thing of the past. When feelings and personal choice are more important than truth, and when standing for what is "right" is our right even if it's wrong.

So, that begs the question: Do we really want to live where truth no longer exists? Or do we want God to reveal who we are, what we are, and where we might have missed the mark? Don't we want honesty to be the one thing still treasured even if it means having to reject something or even be rejected? According to this Scripture, rejection forces honesty about the truth of who we are.

Therefore, I challenge us all: Reject lies that are told to discredit others. Reject that which injects strife and division. Reject anything that doesn't shout of God's glory because all these things are of Satan, the author of lies, division, and dishonesty.

In this journey called life, especially if we live for Jesus, we will most certainly be misunderstood and contradicted. We will feel the pain of a sword-thrust and we might even be rejected for telling the truth. There is a prize, for in the end, honesty will be revealed by God himself. He will bring about the big reveal and when he does, all truth will be clear and misunderstandings and contradictions will be laid to rest! When that happens, the pain of misunderstanding and rejection will have been worth it!