Concerning Those Who Discourage You
When I was a girl, I had a close relationship with a girl older than I. We had fun and spent a great deal of time together. I was a frequent visitor at her house. I remember playing her piano, making glitter pictures, singing, playing with dolls . . . .
When summer came so did a cousin, a cousin who was not younger like I was, but almost exactly the same age as my playmate. I was history until the visit was over. Then my playmate and I went back to having the same good times we had had before.
However, during the cousin’s visit, I was so hurt by the rejection that I remember identifying with a particular clause Jesus said in Matthew 6:44.
. . . pray for them which despitefully use you, . . .Â
At that time I had never heard the Bible in any other language than that of the King James Version. My young heart felt despitefully used.
It would have been better if I had remembered the whole verse and the ones before and after it, too.
Ye have heard that it hath been said,
Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy.
But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you,
do good to them that hate you,
and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;
That ye may be the children
of your Father which is in heaven:
for he maketh his sun to rise
on the evil and on the good,
and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.
Matthew 6:43-45 KJV
Some of you have “enemies” who question and criticize your homeschooling. I’m a bit uncomfortable using the word enemy here, because sometimes these “enemies” are brothers and sisters in Christ or members of your own family or people who live in your own house. Some discourage you only once or every once in a while. Others discourage you harshly and often. You can hardly stand being around them.
Your children, your sacrifice, and your desire to homeschool powerfully and well tempt you to tune in to their voices. These voices tempt you to doubt what you are doing and how you are doing it. They cause you pain. They keep you up at night.
At church this past Sunday night, we read one Psalm after another. Each Psalm was about trusting God. It was a powerful experience. We read Psalm 3 first. For those of you who struggle with beloved “enemies,” Psalm 3 offers comfort, hope, perspective, and freedom from fear.
But You, O Lord, are a shield about me,
My glory, and the One who lifts my head.
I was crying to the Lord with my voice,
And He answered me from His holy mountain.Â
I lay down and slept;
I awoke, for the Lord sustains me.
I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people
Who have set themselves against me round about.
Psalm 3:3-6