By 
There was a time when bracelets bearing the acronym “WWJD” (What Would Jesus Do) were popular. I had several and wore them without fail. Eventually that trend faded but I continued to wear mine. I really did want my life to follow the example of Jesus. Maybe I’m a slow learner, but I liked the reminder on my wrist. By studying the life of Jesus in the scriptures, I was able to answer the “WWJD” question with His flawless example: Whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked (1 John 2:6, ESV). The difficulty came in replicating His answer with my actions.
I despise injustice. I dislike bullies and I always root for the underdog. Growing up in a family with four siblings, there were many opportunities to experience blameworthy behavior and the resulting consequences. As a child these repercussions often seemed arbitrary and, according to my perspective, unfair. My mother used to tell me that she hoped one day I would have a child whose favorite cry was: “It’s not fair!” I suppose she wearied of my whining, and continually tried to explain that life would likely persist in feeling inequitable and I needed to settle into that understanding.
To some extent I have matured in my comprehension of life; yet I have not abandoned my crusade to be treated justly, be reasonably understood, and to have the opportunity to defend any misconceptions, all according to my consideration of fairness. So when the occasion arises, I’m usually compelled to clear my name and correct any wrong information, typically verbally and, if necessary, quite vehemently. A quick glance at my bracelet should remind me that is not Jesus’ behavior.
In the beginning of his Soviet prison camp incarceration, Alexander Solzhenitsyn, writing in his book The Gulag Archipelago, thinks about those who had betrayed him and how eager he was to prove his innocence: “How could we have not seen those who informed against us? How we hated them—we must speak out; we must communicate.”
However, nearing the end of his sentence he says: “And now an understanding mildness has become the basis of your uncategorical judgments. You have come to realize your own weakness—and you can therefore understand the weakness of others. You don’t hasten to question and you don’t hasten to answer.”
I am convicted by his understanding that he does not always have to be heard. I want to care more about hearing and less about being heard.
In Mark 14:55-61 Jesus, standing before the Sanhedrin Council, listened to false testimony being given against Him, but He remained silent and made no answer (Mark 14:61, ESV). In Mark 15 Jesus stood before Pilate, again falsely accused of sedition among other things. Apart from confirming that He was indeed “King of the Jews”, He continued to remain quiet. Luke 23:9 shows Jesus before Herod: So he (Herod) questioned Him at some length, but He made no answer (ESV).
This is astoundingly unfair! Jesus, God made flesh (John 1:14), the Christ of God (Luke 9:20), The Word Who was God (John 1:1), innocent of all charges, stood meekly silent before His accusers. He was willing to accept their judgment of Him, laying down His life of His own accord (John 10:18).
The vision of Jesus, standing before His accusers with His mouth shut, is humbling and convicting. My flesh cries out for vindication, recognition, and approval. My tongue is more than happy to oblige. I often think that the more words I speak into a situation, the better chance I have of it going my way. Not so: Be not rash with your mouth, nor let your heart be hasty to utter a word before God, for God is in heaven and you are on earth. Therefore let your words be few (Ecclesiastes 5:2, ESV).
During one particularly difficult time of feeling misinterpreted, misunderstood, and unable to defend myself, I frantically discussed my situation with family and friends, earnestly looking for a solution while attempting to gain support and, I daresay, sympathy. I invested enormous amounts of words, emotions, and tears. It seemed that the harder I tried to remedy the situation, the more it worsened. Eventually a friend suggested the most practical piece of advice: “Abandon ship!” Wise words indeed.
Another glance at my bracelet reminded me that my response to my situation had been sinful, my selfishness revealed through the stream of protests, excuses, and accusations that poured from my mouth. This was not what Jesus would have done: But he gave him no answer, not even to a single charge, so that the governor was greatly amazed (Matthew 27:14, ESV).
The night before His arrest Jesus had spent time in prayer, asking His Father: “If it be possible, let this cup (of suffering) pass from me” (Matthew 26:39, ESV). He sought the wisdom and strength of the Father in that moment. And then He stood up, brushed the dirt from His knees, and turned to walk the path prepared for Him.
I neglected to bring my situation before my Heavenly Father and leave it with Him. I had failed to follow Jesus’ example of strength through silence. I had struggled with the burden to be heard, overwhelmed with the need to be exonerated—not at all what Jesus would do. I let my own sinful idea of justice overshadow my Father’s call to trust Him. His charge to me is to let go of my desire for vindication and rest in His plan, His purpose, and His power: Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord’’ (Romans 12:19, ESV).
Wisdom knows when to talk and when to keep quiet. Nancy DeMoss Wolgemuth says “When you are secure in who you are and in your calling, you don’t have to talk so much…(you) just live the life. In so doing, (you) reflect the heart and the spirit of Jesus.”
Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand (Isaiah 41:10, ESV).
Knowing that my Heavenly Father will work all things for my good and His Glory, according to His purpose, allows me to rest in His strength. And through the power of prayer, the influence of the Holy Spirit, and the acquiescence of my will, I can face unanswered questions, unexplained motives, and hurtful words with silence. I quiet the noise in my soul with the Truth.
I may need a bigger bracelet.
Nanette Smith
A transplanted Texan, Nanette Smith spent most of her life in western Pennsylvania where she and her husband Tom raised their 6 children. When not homeschooling her children or helping her husband run his construction business, Nanette volunteered with Samaritan’s purse, crisis pregnancy centers, and served as Women’s Ministry Director. In 2013 God moved Nanette and her family to Texas and she attended her first Womenary class in 2016. Currently Nanette works as the Missions Coordinator at Mobberly Baptist Church in Longview, TX. When not working or playing with one of her 11 grandchildren, Nanette enjoys reading, writing, photography and baking. 
