Confrontation

Confrontation

How should I respond when I am confronted?

God’s Response

They confronted King Uzziah and said, “It is not for you, Uzziah, to burn incense to the LORD.” . . . Uzziah was furious and refused to set down the incense burner he was holding. But as he was standing there with the priests before the incense altar in the LORD’s Temple, leprosy suddenly broke out on his forehead. 2 Chronicles 26:18-19

I recognize my shameful deeds—they haunt me day and night. . . . Purify me from my sins, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow. Psalm 51:3, 7

King Uzziah was furious when rightly confronted for his wrongdoing. He refused to change, and he suffered the consequences. On the other hand, the humility in King David’s response to confrontation—admitting his wrongdoing and asking for forgiveness—provides a great model. When confronted, you should be honored that someone cares enough about you to want what is best for you and that they are willing to risk your anger in order to speak the truth. If you are constantly defending and rationalizing your actions to others, you may be more like Uzziah than David.

God’s Challenge

An open rebuke is better than hidden love! Proverbs 27:5