The Hurt SpiralSample

PLEASE DON’T LET ME BE MISUNDERSTOOD

David and Absalom’s story of hurt is no different than what many of us experience in our relationships. And when all is said and done, we often end up in disbelief about how everything could have gone so wrong. We often realize too late that all the hurt resulted from greatly misunderstanding each other.

In David’s case, he never stopped loving his son (2 Samuel 18). And I am sure things would have turned out differently if Absalom understood that. But it was too late. Their story was heading to a climax with father in son in war against each other. David’s misunderstood love for his son remained just that: love for a son who couldn’t see it. “And the king gave this command to Joab, Abishai, and Ittai: ‘For my sake, deal gently with young Absalom’ (v. 5, NLT).

When the conflict finally ended in the death of Absalom, all that remained were regrets and unfulfilled dreams. “During his lifetime, Absalom had built a monument to himself in the King’s Valley, for he said, ‘I have no son to carry on my name’ (2 Samuel 18:18, NLT). And for David: “‘ O my son Absalom! My son, my son Absalom! If only I had died instead of you! O Absalom, my son, my son’” (v. 33, NLT).

During his ministry, Jesus encouraged us many times to make sure that we display our love in such clear ways that no one doubts our intentions. “We know what real love is because Jesus gave up his life for us. So we also ought to give up our lives for our brothers and sisters” (1 John 3:16, NLT).

What action is required in your life to turn a hurtful situation around? What scary step may you need to take to be free of hurt?

Let us follow the example of Jesus, who proved his love for us by taking action. And let us remember the countless actions He takes every day to bring our hearts nearer to Him. “Dear children, let’s not merely say that we love each other; let us show the truth by our actions. Our actions will show that we belong to the truth, so we will be confident when we stand before God” (1 John 3:18-19, NLT).