Reproached?

Psalm 119:42

So I will have an answer for him who reproaches me, For I trust in Your word.

There are times when others express disapproval or disappointment in us (which is the definition of “reproach”) and that expression is valid.  We need to answer when we have done someone wrong, or acted in a manner that was not pleasant or honoring.

However, there will be times when others express disapproval and disappointment in us, when we have done nothing wrong.  This happens often when parents see their own unmet goals in their children, or when friends’ needs are so great they impose themselves on us.  There is no answer to these types of reproaches.

This is when we have to trust his Word about who he says we are.  It doesn’t do anyone any good for us to argue or push back, when reproached by others. The only good we can do is to stand firm in knowing that we belong to Him and he loves and accepts us.  And we can pray for that person(s) for his/her needs, and then move forward.

It also doesn’t bode well to retort back to a person who is disappointed at us with words of “wisdom” as we berate them back in our own religious pride.  That is not healthy or wise.

Sometimes the best answer is no answer.  And in giving no answer, we stand firm on the Word and the knowledge that God can answer better than we can, so we let him have it.

Feeling reproached for something that’s totally invalid?  Trust in the Lord, and be quiet.