Best Intensions

2/9/2022

Proverbs 13:10 "By insolence comes nothing but strife,but with those who take advice is wisdom."

I know that when I give people council or advice, I always do it with the best intentions. The entire reason for speaking to a person about anything they may be going through in life is to offer a listening ear or assistance. Perhaps I have been through a similar situation that I can talk about. Maybe I have read (or written) a book that may help as well. 

Most of the time, when I give council, I do so because I am asked to enter into a situation. Sometimes, however, I inject myself into an issue or problem that I really have no business being in; this mainly happens with those closest to me. The thing is, most of my unsolicited advice is not usually received very well. Maybe I do not know the full story that is unfolding, or maybe it is much too personal. If someone gets upset with me for butting in where I am not wanted, then I feel injured because I was just trying to help. 

Well, sometimes the shoe is on the other foot, and I have an individual reach out to me with something they think I need to do or hear. As I am generally a very private person, I rarely ever seek help from anyone, even those closest to me. So, when out of the blue someone tries to council me, I do not always receive it well either. Several weeks ago, someone in my life did this concerning my continuing battle with OCD. This conversation happened through texts, and I felt confused and a lit ambushed. I was asking a lot of questions (which is part of how OCD presents in me) but this just frustrated the person who reached out. Our conversation came to an abrupt halt, and left me wanting clarification. 

I have been thinking about this interaction a lot in recent days, and I am looking at it much differently than I did initially. I now believe this person was encouraging me to put my full faith in Jesus, because He can fully heal me of OCD. At first I was sort of hurt, and felt like they were telling me that my faith was lacking and that is why I still battle. However, now I believe that their council was bold, Spirit led, and done in love. I may not have asked for advice, but I should not have bristled against it. Often times, God speaks to us through others with words of confirmation, encouragement, or correction (even when we are not actively seeking those things.) I believe now that this message was all three. I DO need to have complete faith that I can be fully healed, and I am grateful that this dear person in my life was brave enough to encourage me pray to that end. They did have the best intentions. Will God heal me? Maybe or maybe not, but I should never lose faith that He can. 

James 5:15 "And the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord with raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven."