Being misunderstood!

Blessings everyone,
Hoping you have all had a productive start of the new year! We are officially in February which means we only have 6 more weeks of cold weather to go! Spring will be here before you know it!

I recently came across a devotional that spoke volumes to me and thought it timely and appropriate to share it with you this month. I take no credit for this except that it came across my desk and I felt strongly to share it. It was on time and relevant to my current season. I pray it speaks life into you!

Being misunderstood is defined as failing to interpret or understand (something or someone) correctly. I am pretty sure we have all been misunderstood and have also misunderstood things that have been said to us. You are not alone, and it does not mean that something is wrong with you. Please take a moment to read this devotional and allow it to minister to your heart.

DJ Who?

Devotional

Let’s be real—being misunderstood isn’t just frustrating; it’s discouraging. You know your heart, your motives, and the sacrifices you’ve made, but somehow, the people around you still don’t get it. If that’s not enough to frustrate anyone, I don’t know what is.

Here’s what I need you to hear: being misunderstood is inevitable. Even the Apostle Paul, who gave everything for others, had to defend his motives to people he had already helped because of his past as a religious murderer. And if Jesus—who lived a perfect life and made perfect decisions—was misunderstood, it’s unrealistic to think we’ll escape it.

So, what do we do when people question our motives or fail to see the value we bring? We manage ourselves.

The first truth to remember is that you can’t expect others to respect sacrifices they didn’t see. People often see the results of your hard work but not the effort it took to get there. They don’t know about the late nights, the early mornings, or the tears you’ve cried—and that’s okay. It’s not their job to know. Letting go of the need for recognition frees you to keep moving forward.

Second, you can only ensure your motives are pure. You can’t control how others interpret your actions. Sometimes, their assumptions say more about their past experiences than about you. Your responsibility isn’t to convince everyone—it’s to ensure your heart remains right.

Finally, being misunderstood doesn’t diminish your value. Don’t let someone else’s inability to see your worth make you question it. Sometimes, it’s not your value that’s the issue—it’s their vision. Stay focused on the people who need what you have to offer, and don’t stop giving just because someone else doesn’t get it.

Here’s the bottom line: If you’re doing something meaningful, you’re going to be misunderstood. But that doesn’t mean you stop. Too many people are depending on you to add the value only you can bring.

Let these truths ground you the next time you feel frustrated or discouraged because someone misunderstood you. Your worth isn’t tied to others’ opinions, and your calling isn’t dependent on their understanding.

Keep adding value. Keep showing up. And trust that God sees it all.

Rooting for you,

Pastor Dharius Daniels