Previous Challenge Entry (Level 4 – Masters)
Topic: Love Fulfills the Law (07/09/26)
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TITLE: Choosing Love When It Hurts | Previous Challenge Entry
By Marilyn Meiners
07/13/26 -
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Have you ever been falsely accused? Misjudged? Had your good name shattered because someone chose to slander you? It’s not a pleasant feeling. It is especially hurtful when those words come from another “believer”. This happened to me. Let me share my story.
Paul and I were married in 1960. In 1966, my husband felt called to leave the farm life we had enjoyed for six years and follow the Lord’s leading into full-time ministry. I agreed wholeheartedly. After receiving the blessing of our pastor, our families, and our friends, we packed our meager belongings and moved to Chicago, Illinois, where Paul began his studies at Moody Bible Institute.
God graciously provided everything we needed—a job for me at MBI, a wonderful Moody “mom” to care for our two boys, and an apartment owned by a Christian couple. We were ready to begin this new journey.
All Moody students were required to participate in a “practical” ministry assignment. My husband was assigned to work with The American Board of Missions to the Jews, a meaningful opportunity to serve among Jewish believers in the Chicago area. At first, we knew very little about Jewish beliefs, but as we worked with this organization and got to know its director, Mr. Jacobson, we quickly grew to love these kind-hearted people. In time, they welcomed us as part of their community.
Every Thursday evening, we gathered together. We studied Scripture, sang, talked, and laughed. Our two boys came with us, and before long, they had more “grandparents” than they could count.
Among those who attended was a man named Richard, a professed believer; although he always seemed a bit out of place. He carried an air of superiority—pleasant to your face, but capable of throwing daggers behind your back. Still, I wanted to believe the best in him. I made an effort to be his friend—to show him love and respect. I tried to live out the words of Moses: “Love your neighbor as yourself” (words Jesus would later repeat).
Then one Thursday evening, everything changed.
As we arrived, I sensed something was wrong. The usual warm smiles were gone. No one greeted me with a handshake or a hug. It was as if I were invisible. The strange atmosphere lingered throughout the entire meeting. Even my boys were no longer showered with the affection they had grown accustomed to.
What in the world was going on?
At the end of the evening, I asked one of the women I loved dearly why everyone seemed so distant. With a heavy sigh and downcast eyes, she told me she had heard about my involvement with astrology—that I read it, believed it, and lived by it. She said she could not understand how I, as a believer, could follow something she considered evil. She thought I was different.
I was stunned. Where had such an idea come from?
Astrology?
Never in a million years would I go down that road.
As I gently asked more questions, the truth came out. Richard had spread the rumor. For reasons I did not understand, he had chosen to hurt me. I could not think of anything I had done to cause such hostility.
Immediately, my mind went to the Scripture we had studied just the week before:
“Do not go about spreading slander among your people… Do not take revenge or bear a grudge… but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the Lord.” (Leviticus 19:16, 18)
Had Richard not heard these words? What could have motivated him to spread something so untrue—something that would eventually come back to harm him as well? And how was I supposed to treat him now, knowing what he had done?
In that quiet moment, God seemed to whisper to my heart, “Just love him. I’ll take care of the rest.”
And God did.
The rumors faded, truth found its way to the surface, and hearts were gently restored—but the greater work had already been done in mine. God had shown me that love is not proven when it is easy, but when it is undeserved. And in choosing to love, I discovered that obedience brings a peace no accusation can ever steal.
I walked away knowing that when we trust God with our reputation, He writes a far better ending than we ever could.
Story is non-fiction
Scripture from CSB Women’s Study Bible
The opinions expressed by authors may not necessarily reflect the opinion of FaithWriters.com.
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Your depiction of God's message to you rings true. It is a great example of the power of love- both to the giver and the receiver of the love. Thanks for sharing.