One of my weaknesses is that I ‘strongly dislike’ being falsely accused. From a petty, “Abbie, did you put the shirt there?” said in a mildly accusatory tone to a, “Abbie, why did you take my shoes?” (laundry examples were all I could think of), my blood gets pretty easily boiled by being reprimanded for something I didn’t do.

It’s something that I’m very aware of, and recently I’ve taken to having a more light hearted and sarcastic approach in response. One of my favourite phrases to respond to a petty false accusation such as, “Abbie, did you take my charger?” or “Abbie, why did you move my stuff?” is “Yes, I did. I did it just to annoy you.” (making sure that this is said with a cheeky smile).

It’s had a very successful response as family members acknowledge the implications of their accusations. The following conversation happens fairly regularly:

Matt: “Abbie, did you move my *blank*”

Me: “Yes, I did it just to annoy you.”

Mum: “Abbie, why would you do that?!”

*Cue me shrugging and cheekily smiling.*

Matt: “No, Mum, she’s lying. She thinks she’s funny.”

*Cue Matt trying to tickle me and apologetically saying,* “Abbie, do you know where it is?” (In a much more loving tone.)

As successful and entertaining as this approach has been, when it comes to more serious matters than my organisational habbits, I find that I still respond very frustratedly and offendedly. I repeat to myself often that:

“For it is better, if it is the will of God, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.
I Peter 3:17 NKJV”

And I remind myself that Jesus didn’t defend Himself. He let others think what they wanted about Him because He knew who He was and who His Father said He was. Phew. When I realised that that’s the root of it all, I began to see that learning to not be hurt or offended by false accusations is actually incredibly important. We need to know who we are and who our Father is and have peace and confidence in that. When our fruit shows that we aren’t confident in that, it’s evidence that we have some learning and remembering to do.

So, lesson 1. Know who your Father is and who you are. From here flows pretty much everything.

Lesson 2. These mild trials are preparation for our future and the molding of our characters.

I’m learning that in me choosing to face this weakness now, I’m being prepared for larger moments in my future in which I’ll be accused of larger things. Things that hurt my pride, reputation, and heart. But in those moments, I’m being prepared to respond without offense or self-defense, but instead, to respond like Jesus did and focus on knowing who I am and on loving the other person well.

I’m confident that I’ll continue to struggle and be refined in this area, but I’m also confident that I’ll increasingly learn to respond like Jesus.

So, life lesson: Jesus is using even our littlest frustrations and weakness for His glory and our good. Let this give you so much peace and hope in whatever your weaknessnes are.

And remember: Jesus is so kind. So be kind to yourself and those around you. Have a listen to ‘Be Kind to Yourself’ by Andrew Peterson and ‘Good and Loved’ by Travis Greene and Steffany Gretzinger.

Also, if you have any other life lessons that you’re learning in this area, please share them with me! We learn best when we learn together.

“O Lord , You have searched me and known me. You know my sitting down and my rising up; You understand my thought afar off. You comprehend my path and my lying down, And are acquainted with all my ways. For there is not a word on my tongue, But behold, O Lord , You know it altogether. You have hedged me behind and before, And laid Your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; It is high, I cannot attain it.”
Psalms 139:1‭-‬6 NKJV

“And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” 2 Corinthians 12:9 NKJV