When You Are Misperceived

And Eli said unto her, How long wilt thou be drunken? put away thy wine from thee. And Hannah answered and said, No, my Lord, I am a woman of a sorrowful spirit: I have drunk neither wine nor strong drink, but have poured out my soul before the LORD. 1 Samuel 1:14‭-‬15 KJV

Yesterday, we spoke of Hannah speaking from her heart. Today we are in a more delicate situation. What happens when people misunderstand who you are? When I was younger, I was a stickler in explaining misperception. I thought I was God with the responsibility to make others see things right. When I entered my early fifties, I lost the gift. Yes, I had it for that long. Now I know that people will misperceive what you do, even if your are praying to God. In Psychology, the concept is described as cognitive dissonance. It is when ” we see others through a lens distorted by our wishes, needs, and experience”. Someone expert explains that ” Although our perception is very accurate, it is not perfect. Illusions occur when the perceptual processes that normally help us correctly perceive the world around us are fooled by a particular situation so that we see something that does not exist or that is incorrect”. Eli was a man of God and a prophet, yet he had his perceptions wrong. Even men of God can miss it. My concern is not that Eli missed it, but that Hannah gave him an answer of peace. She even added, ” My Lord”. Have you been misunderstood? Some people were offended at Jesus when he was misperceived( Mat.13:57). Do remember God has a way to requite you. Their perceptions mean the person has a personal preference that they believe you haven’t met. Don’t throw the child away with the bath water. Eli strengthened her prayers because of her composure. My joy is when she returned with the baby for dedication. God is on your side.