Have you ever been wrongly accused? Has your good name been challenged?

Unfair accusations can wreck your credibility and destroy professional and personal relationships. They can also impact your mental health every time you wonder what others might be thinking or saying about you.

I’ve lived through this kind of pain. Years ago, someone I considered a close friend made me carry the guilt for something she had done. Rumors spread, even among my church friends. Although the incident happened long ago, I still remember how devastated I felt. It took years of hard work for me to heal from this experience.

As I sought counseling and spent hours praying, reading my Bible and memorizing and meditating on Scripture, I became confident that, one day, things would be okay. To get there, I faced formidable obstacles.

Thankfully, Psalm 18:29 (ESV) says,

For by you I can run against a troop, and by my God I can leap over a wall.

The first obstacle I had to overcome was my own recklessness. I should have set better boundaries with this person. My lack of boundaries contributed to the pain I experienced. Because of this, I asked God to forgive my lack of prudence and give me wisdom in future relationships.

Because I was still vulnerable to making foolish choices, especially when influenced by less-than-trustworthy people, I placed myself under the accountability of biblically-grounded people I could trust. Although it would be painful, I knew I had to break off all communication with her. Whenever I was tempted to reach out to her, my accountability partners helped me stick to my resolve.

The highest wall I had to overcome was unforgiveness. To find victory over the bitterness, I prayed to forgive the friend who had betrayed my trust. It’s no coincidence that the more I learned to show mercy instead of repaying evil for evil (even in my thoughts), the more stable I became.

How can you apply Psalm 18 in your circumstances (past or present)?  If you’ve experienced similar emotions, don’t let rejection, paranoia and unforgiveness destroy you.

God’s grace can help you advance against any troop and leap over every wall. I sincerely pray that you will experience God’s grace and wisdom on your journey.

What about you?

I’d love to hear your thoughts about this post. (Your comment might also benefit others.)

• What are some walls or obstacles you’ve faced when you’ve been unfairly accused or misunderstood?
• How can you apply Psalm 18 to your current or past circumstances? 

If you’re reading by email, CLICK HERE to visit Today Can Be Different online and leave a comment. If you would like to subscribe to this blog and receive the most recent post to your inbox, see sidebar! There’s no charge for this service. AND, I’d be tickled if you would consider sharing this post.