81 - Monique – “Trusting God's Defense: Finding Peace Amidst Unjust Accusations”
“Thank you so much for your encouraging message that you sent me through Facebook. I have listened to it several times and have found it so encouraging as I am going through one of those tough times again. Nothing tugs at a mother’s heart strings then her children. But I know God will see me through it. Now regarding my testimony…if it can help someone else by all means please share it. I am ok with you sharing the whole thing.
Hi Michael, I just finished the John 7:17 challenge and I can’t begin to thank you for this challenge. When I started this challenge on August 9, 2016, I was a mess. I felt like I was drowning and any time that I tried to get my head above water the devil would push it down again. Three of my children weren’t talking to me. My husband was terribly emotionally abusive to me. My parents were rejecting me because I would no longer tolerate the dysfunction in our family, and I felt so alone and afraid of losing everything.
I needed to get away, so I did for four days. Just God and I. I didn’t know one person. It was during this time that God led me to your video, “Trusting God In The Storm” and this was the beginning of the John 7:17 challenge.
When I look back in my journal on all that God has taught me with this challenge, I am so grateful. I am a different person today. I have peace and joy in my spirit again despite my circumstances. The biggest lesson for me was, was I willing to give up to trade up. The devil had planted a lie in my heart about this, but you taught me with God’s help to let go and trust God, and this was the biggest aha moment. I have made peace with myself, and that has changed me. I am no longer afraid. The strongholds that the devil had over me are gone. I know in my heart that if I lost everything that it would be okay as long as I had God.
On day 4 of my getaway trip with God, my husband came to be with me for a few hours since it was my birthday, and he didn’t want me to spend my birthday alone. I was able to share some things with him about what God was teaching me, and the stronghold that my husband held over me about money no longer affected me. I knew in my heart that if my marriage didn’t work out, I would be ok and I know that my husband felt that shift, and we have been getting along really well. My children are still not speaking to me, but that’s ok. I know God is working in their hearts, and God knows that the desire of my heart is to have a Godly healthy relationship with my children.
Thank you so much, Michael, for being faithful to your calling, for the video and this great challenge, and I am looking forward to the other courses you are preparing. I am going to continue with the other teachings in the back of the book, and I know God wants me to start a bible study in my home with this challenge to help other people. This challenge is now part of the plan of disciplining people at the spiritual retreat vision that God has given me for our home. The vision that the Lord gave me 11 years ago is starting to fall into place. I am so excited to see what He is going to do next.
Thanks again! ”
Trusting God's Defense: Finding Peace Amidst Unjust Accusations
Have you ever been in a situation, like Monique, where speaking the truth to her children about the evil their father had done, felt like walking a tightrope? We are called to be truthful, yet we are also called to love and forgive. How do we reconcile these seemingly opposing commands? Ephesians 5:11 tells us, "Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them." This verse calls us to shine a light on wrongdoing, to not be complicit in darkness. But what does that look like practically?
Sometimes, it means having difficult conversations, like Paul did when he named those who had harmed him (2 Timothy 4:14-15). He didn't shy away from identifying those who had caused him pain, yet his motive wasn't revenge. He exposed their actions to warn others and uphold the truth. This doesn't negate the command to love. "Love covers over a multitude of sins" (1 Peter 4:8). This love, however, is not a blanket excuse for wrongdoing, especially when it continues unrepentant. It is a love that seeks restoration and repentance, not enabling.
Jesus himself modeled this balance. He spoke truth boldly, even when it meant facing opposition. He didn't hesitate to sharply call out hypocrisy and injustice (Matthew 23). Yet, even when falsely accused, he didn't stick around defend himself, instead entrusting his case to the Father (John 18:23). This is where trust comes in. Proverbs 16:4 reminds us, "The LORD works out everything for his own ends—even the wicked for a day of disaster." We can rest in the knowledge that God sees all, knows all, and will ultimately bring justice. Our role is to speak the truth in love, then let go, trusting God to handle the rest. This doesn't mean being passive, but rather actively surrendering our need to control the outcome. It is in this surrender that we find true peace, knowing that our defender is the Almighty God.
