Have you ever been misunderstood? Many years ago, I was driving to a very important meeting and the Lord asked me a question, “Are you willing to look bad and be misunderstood?” Wanting to sound the spiritual and be fully surrendered, I answered, “Of course, Lord, I’m willing to look bad and be misunderstood if that’s ever your will for my life.” I didn’t know he really meant it. I just thought he was testing my heart, but before the day was over, I was openly humiliated before a group of peers when I had done nothing wrong.” In light of what God asked me earlier that day while driving my car, I knew that I wasn’t supposed to try to explain myself or defend myself. I knew there were redemptive purposes that had eternal value that would come forth from this situation that involved more people than just me.
The fellowship of His sufferings sometimes is not much fun, but I knew the One who is always good knew what he was doing, so in my heart, I just thanked Him for it. As a result, God did a deep and lasting work in my heart that freed me from living for the approval of man. I never experienced one moment of offense or resentment. By Christ, I simply loved the one who was humiliating me more, and over the years, we became very close, and I was able to speak important things in their life. On the cross, Jesus looked bad and was misunderstood to be a criminal crucified between two criminals. Without offense in His heart, He stretched out his arms, and by his stripes, we were healed. That’s what love looks like and what love accomplishes.