The group called The Animals belted it out in 1965 and titled it, “Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood.”

“Don’t let me be misunderstood” means “Please understand that although I sometimes seem negative or angry, my intentions are good.” It is a plea for understanding. It begs others to look beyond temporary negative actions or words to see the inherent good in that person, acknowledging his or her complexities and imperfections.

Been there, done that is the common colloquialism. We all cry out for understanding on occasion. Does God answer that? Glad you asked.

Psalm 103:13-14

As a father pities his children,
So the Lord pities those who fear Him.

For He knows our frame;
He remembers that we are dust.

God is a God who knows us (and all of our shortcomings) intimately, yet He still loves us infinitely. Give it some thought.

Gary

“You can’t be that kid standing at the top of the waterslide, overthinking it. You have to go down the chute.” —Tina Fey

I don’t know how much Tina knows about Scripture, but that is the driving force behind faith.  Hebrews 11 is all about that. Here’s one verse:

Hebrews 11:6 

And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who seek Him.

Have you taken note of the kinds of experiences that require a step of faith? Life will offer them to you.  As a believer, you should trust Him to catch you in His faithful arms. Give it some thought.

Gary

“Sometimes I lie awake at night, and I ask, ‘Where have I gone wrong’.
Then a voice says to me, ‘This is going to take more than one night.”
― Charlie Schultz

This common thought has been plaguing man since the Garden of Eden. It’s not the past that should concern us, but the future. Does the Bible address this malady? Glad you asked.

1 John 2:1

My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have an advocate with the Father—Jesus Christ, the Righteous

Adam, Moses, David, Solomon or a multitude of others could have made a similar statement. However, God gave them a future and a hope.

Give it some thought.

Gary

Self-pity is our worst enemy, and if we yield to it, we can never do anything wise in this world.

– Helen Keller

This statement was made by a blind woman who spent a lifetime being a benefit to her world.  Does the Bible address this topic? Glad you asked.

Romans 5:3 

Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance,

1 Peter 5:7 

Casting all your anxieties on Him, because He cares for you.

This world is not about us, but about others. Give it some thought.

Gary

I’ve learned –
that you can get by on charm
for about fifteen minutes.
After that, you’d better know something.

–       Unknown author

Proverbs 31:30 

Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.

Matthew 23:28 

So you also outwardly appear righteous to others, but within you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness.

It is not how we present ourselves to others that has value, but what we are before God.

Give it some consideration.

Gary

You’ve likely taken a bite of an unripe grapefruit and experienced the unpleasant sensation, a taste that bites you back; it’s too bitter. Maybe you entered a conversation with some people and a statement was made that, even after all these years, the bitter taste is still in your mouth. Gargle with some Scripture is my advice.

Ephesians 4:31 

Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. 

Hebrews 12:15 

See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no “root of bitterness” springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled;

There, was that better? Give it some thought.

Gary

“Change your life today. Don’t gamble on the future, act now, without delay.” — Simone de Beauvoir

Simone certainly had some wacky ideas, but this thought that entered her mind can be a benefit.  However, if the God of the Bible is not your enabler,  it’s for nothing. Your future depends heavily on what you do with the Creator. God’s Word is our introduction to Him.

Hebrews 3:7-8

So, as the Holy Spirit says:

“Today, if you hear His voice,
do not harden your hearts
as you did in the rebellion,
during the time of testing in the wilderness,

Today might be your last chance to change the future. Give it some thought.

Gary