When you are falsely accused of something, how do you respond? 

(1) Does it haunt you? 

(2) Do you retaliate? 

(3) Do you just wave it off and move on?

For me, it sticks with me for a really long time.  It haunts my thoughts, my feelings, my sleep, my relationships.  You see, I’m a perfectionist.  I care what others think of me and how they portray me with their words.  So, when I am falsely accused – either misunderstood or blatant false accusations – I go into a tailspin until I finally stop and think about it.  Why did they say I did something I did not do or that I had an “agenda”?  I have come to realize that some people – for whatever reason –  are intimidated by me.  Maybe it’s my make-it-happen attitude.  Maybe it’s my success.  Maybe they are jealous of some aspect of my life.  Or maybe it’s simply a misinterpretation of my words or my actions.  I really wish people would communicate when they have a concern that involves me.  So much hurt, anger, disappointment, resentment, and discouragement could be avoided if only people would talk to each other.  

At times, I find myself oblivious to the fact that someone is unhappy with me until it’s too late.  I walk around with my head in the clouds enjoying life.  Then Boom!  It all comes out in an unpleasant manner and the tailspin begins.  I make it a practice now to communicate with someone who I believe has misjudged me.  Sometimes they hear me, but other times they misinterpret my words.  I know this to be a fact because I have experienced saying words that I have assigned a certain intent and the person receiving my words hears something different.  Same words, different interpretation.  At one point, I doubted my ability to communicate so much – with men in particular – that I took a public speaking course at a university.  Guess what I learned?  I do know how to communicate, but I need to be aware of my audience and how they are perceiving my words.  

Not all of my communication difficulties are with men.  That would be naivety.  I do know that direct communication with God through prayer is the best place to start when trying to dissect what just happened.  He will lead me to the proper scriptures to read to help me understand and to help me address the issue.  Worship calms my soul.  Prayer will guide me into peaceful sleep at night.  Bible study equips me with the words I need to know in order to respond and speak assertively with love and respect.    

Psalm 37:5-6 (ESV)

⁵ Commit your way to the Lord;
    trust in him, and he will act.

⁶  He will bring forth your righteousness as the light,
    and your justice as the noonday.