Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
~Proverbs 3:5-6
I don’t know about you, but for me the above verses are the ones that have been the most memorable in Proverbs chapter 3. Once when I was having a difficult time in college, I actually took my Bible and randomly opened it and pointed to a verse, hoping the Lord would lead me to just what I needed. Where did my finger land? You guessed it, Proverbs 3:5-6. I don’t recommend this as a method of Bible study, but the Lord graciously lead me to this verse, which gave me comfort both then and many more times over the years.
Earlier this week I had some quiet time in the morning and I read Proverbs chapter 3 again. The following verses jumped out at me:
Withhold not good from them to whom it is due, when it is in the power of thine hand to do it.
Say not unto thy neighbour, Go, and come again, and to morrow I will give; when thou hast it by thee.
~Proverbs 3:27-28
I didn’t see a practical application of those verses in my life, but for some reason they jumped off the page at me and I even copied them in the little journal I’ve started keeping next to my Bible. Well, this morning my practical application arrived. It’s a little complicated, but essentially a friend is withholding something I need because of a miscommunication that occurred some time ago, and didn’t actually involve me, but another member of my family. Our friend feels that we withheld something from him. A small miscommunication has taken on a life of its own. I hate that there is a stumbling block in this friendship which we hadn’t realized or addressed, and that our friend has been hurt. I’m embarrassed to have asked a favor of a friend who felt we had neglected his own request. Mostly, I’m not sure how to tactfully address the situation and resolve it, but I’m thinking I need to look to the other Proverbs 3 verses that caught my attention earlier this week:
Let not mercy and truth forsake thee: bind them about thy neck; write them upon the table of thine heart:
So shalt thou find favour and good understanding in the sight of God and man.
~Proverbs 3:3-4
Dawn,
Ben and I start every school day reciting those verses. They are very special to us, too!
I think you should forward your friend the link to this entry, and let him see how you feel about the whole misunderstanding. Your words perfectly explain the situation. It’s amazing how an action or mis-spoken word can go a long way in causing hurt and/or pain in a friendship when in the long run, it was just misunderstanding. I know I’m guilty of being way to sensitive of what I hear or “think” I see.
Besides, how could anyone ever be upset with you! You’re the best, Dawn. I appreciate your sharing of your thoughts on this topic. I’ve been thinking along the same lines for a long while now.
Love,
Jolie
I so agree with Jolie, Dawn. Your friend needs to discover you were unaware that you’d withheld something and hurt him. It’s so easy to just assume everything is out in the open and everyone knows what’s going on when in fact, feelings are hurt because you DON’T know you’re doing something wrong. I hope you find a way to make sure this friend reads this.
Your heart is in it and your friend will easily see hurting him wasn’t intentional.
Here’s one of my favorite verses:
“Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.”
(Colossians 3:13)
I so hope you resolve this.
~~Barb
I’ll be praying that God will open a door for communication between you and your friend.