It's good to think more deeply about the mercies of God in times of crisis. To help guide us in this effort, we'll consider Paul David Tripp's collection of meditations from Psalm 27 called "A Shelter in the Time of Storm." You can get your own copy on Amazon here.

Though an army encamp against
me...

Psalm 27:3

We sin, and we will continue to until we are glorified in Christ as his coming. Everyone around us, even the most pious Christians and even those we love most, sin, and will continue to until we are glorified in Christ at his coming.

Why? Because the "Lord has chosen to keep you here in this world, so bent and twisted by the fall." And the result? "There is no way you and I will avoid being sinned against."

It's a harsh reality, to be sure, but we all know it's true. We will sin and we will be sinned against until we are made whole in Christ. Friends and family continually sin against us, husbands and wives against one another; parents and children, also. 

What are we going to do about that? How are we going to respond when we're the ones sinned against again. And again. And again. By the same people - many times with the same sin!

Tripp contrasts ways we do (often) respond with the ways that we can and should respond.

Don't

• Fear - conceiving of all the possible "what ifs" of how bad this could be or get
• Discontent - pondering all the "if onlys" that would have made our lives different
• Self-protection - turning inward and prioritizing "it will never happen again"
• Retaliation - striking back against those who hurt us
• Doubt - questioning the love and goodness of God because of our circumstances

"What do all these reactions have in common? They make what happens to you the most important thing in your life."

Instead, do

• Run to the temple - Run toward the worship and contemplation of what's true about God - his love, mercy, grace, patience, faithfulness, gentleness, wisdom, power, forgiveness, and kindness.
• Remember your place - You live for the glory of another; not yourself! Remember that this trial is his will for your good and his glory.
• Learn your lessons - What is God revealing to you (about himself and about you) through this difficulty? How are you being purified as with fire?
• Reflect his light - We don't just survive, we persevere, with hope and joy, as only those who are in Christ can do. (Matthew 5:16)

We will be sinned against. What will we do in response?

Questions to Consider

The questions are Tripp's. I included my answers in case they're helpful to read.

1. What are the things you typically do when sinned against?

- See the "don't" list above. Discontent and retaliation are most common for me from that list. On good days, I will also "remember my place."

2. Of the four things suggested, which are you most tempted to forget when your life is troubled by the sin of others? 

- Reflect his light. I forget that others are watching me and that my reactions are an example (good or bad) for them.