How to Handle Gossip
Have you ever been in a situation where you realized that people were talking about you behind your back? I remember the moment I discovered that my so-called friends had been criticizing my every move when I wasn’t there to defend myself.
It was my first year teaching (16 years ago) and things hadn’t been going very well for me…at all. I didn’t have a classroom and the teachers sharing their rooms with me were hostile and irritated with my “new teacher” mistakes. I had more students than I knew what to do with (150+) and to top it off, I didn’t get a lunch break, but instead spent lunch monitoring students. I remember sitting down at 3:30 for the first time all day, feeling completely spent and very overwhelmed by everything.
And in the midst of all this, my friends were doubting my ability to do the job. They were kind to my face, but when I was gone, they talked about my weaknesses and criticized my character.
I suddenly felt vulnerable, like everything I said and did was judged and I didn’t even have an opportunity to explain my actions or words. If only people had asked me why I had made a certain decision or said a certain thing, I’m sure I could change their opinion of me.
In that moment when I couldn’t defend myself, God reminded me that it was His job anyway. I opened my Bible and right away saw this verse:
Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him and he will do this:
He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun. Psalm 37:5-6
As the object of gossip, I felt like my character was tarnished. It hurt to know that people thought so poorly of me. I wanted to change their opinion of who I was, but I had no control over that.
We will all be misunderstood by someone at some time in our lives, but God understands the very depths of our hearts and He knows when we’ve been wronged. No matter what trouble we are facing, He promises to stand by our side and be our advocate for justice.
So, instead of trying to justify my actions or defend myself, I decided to commit my way to God. And in that moment of decision, I knew that it didn’t matter what other people thought of me, because God knew the truth and He would make the truth known to others.
Praying that you are encouraged today by this verse to commit your way to HIM and trust Him to uphold your cause.
Thank you, Heather. Gossip is such a hurtful thing. As it says in James 3, the tongue is like a fire. It can consume and destroy.
You made a wise choice that day. Thanks for sharing it with us.
Heather,
What a good word and a true word. I am going through a similar thing and the Lord gave me a verse also, not like this is the first time in my life but it has been a while.
Proverbs 29:25″Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the LORD is kept safe.” so it spoke to me about don’t be afraid of what others think of you that is a trap that will not allow you to move forward and obey him. Trust him with your name and he knows who you are…He is ABLE to keep you safe in his care. 🙂
Thanks for sharing Heather!! 🙂
She-She ?
I am sorry to read that you had a bad start teaching kids. But as you said, if we commit our way to the Lord, all will work out for the good. And I am sure you are one of the best teachers….
Thank you for sharing for your heart and for the marvelous Psalm this morning.
Oh Heather,
He promises to stand by our side and be our advocate for justice.
Amen… Amen… AMEN.
Love you girl. Have a triumphant day. Hugs.
I try to remember that when people gossip it has more to do with their deficiencies than with me. A true friend would have tried to help in that situation. Thankfully, we have a friend in Jesus.
http://www.InspiringChristianStories.com
Amen.
Heather, I’m a teaacher also, have been for almost twelve years. Your story sounds oh so familiar. In fact I wrote the following poem after a similiar experience. Thanks for sharing,\.
Hurt
It hurts when things are said
That I know are not true
And I can’t defend myself
Like I’d really like to do
It hurts but I still smile
Though sometimes I cry inside
As I silently ask why? Lord why?
And wait for His reply
Sometimes I do get angry
And desire to fight back
But the Holy Spirit reminds me
‘Vengeance is mine saith the Lord
So I’m going to keep quiet
And trust in Christ my Lord
For the battle is his and the victory mine
The word of God declares
Beautiful poem, Bernadine.
Thank you so much for sharing your story. I really struggle with this… what it really comes down to is not leaning on Christ. I am putting my hope and trust in others and their opinion of me. My mom said to me the other day… that she feels misunderstood all of the time. I told her what I have told myself and continue to tell myself, “YOU ARE UNDERSTOOD FULLY… by God. Let it sink in. Oh it is so hard to be still in the face of adversity. To be still and let Him fight for us. But, when we do it, when we hide in his mighty wings… wow, what power. Thank you so much for the scripture. I am committing it to memory.
My heat was so heavy until I read this. Thank you so much.
Thank You so much for the word..In fact it’s not easy at all when we are faced with such difficult moments but God promises that He will never leave you nor forsake you..I’m a Christian and I’m currently being faced with so many false rumors about me having slept around, having done abortions and all other ugly things. IT hurts so much ..very much and there is nothing I can do about that. All these people are my classmates and they are all against me …it gets so difficult being in class at times. .
When you know who you are in Christ and how much he loves you, the words of others will have less effect on you. People can still hurt us with their words but in our hearts we know we are precious to God. Ephesians 3:14-20
I needed this today…
Thank you for sharing your story.
M.
So glad God reminds us sometimes through others that He’s got this. He loves us and fights for us!