Faith in the Dark: Misunderstood
Chapter 4 Companion
Psalm 139:16 (NIV)
“Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.”
Chapter 4 is a bit of a doozy for all of us. It almost feels hard to keep up, so let’s slow down and walk through what Carter is carrying.
After another nightmare, we find him standing in the hallway at school. Again.
He’s been sent out more than once for “zoning out,” but today is worse than usual. He barely slept. His dad called the night before, and even though he played it cool, he misses him deeply. When he finally drifted off, the nightmare shoved him right back into fear. So he walks into school already exhausted, already overwhelmed, and already stretched thin.
Then his teacher demands answers he doesn’t have the words for.
She’s frustrated.
He freezes.
His mind shuts down in a self-protective way.
And she sees defiance instead of exhaustion.
So let me ask you…
How often do you feel misunderstood?
How often is there more going on behind the scenes than anyone around you realizes?
In 1 Samuel 1, we meet a woman named Hannah who is heartbroken because she has no children. She goes to the temple and pours out her heart to God so deeply that the priest watching her assumes she’s drunk. He totally misreads her pain. When she explains the truth, he blesses her, and God eventually gives her a son named Samuel.
Misunderstandings happen.
People don’t always know what’s going on in our hearts or our minds.
They don’t see what’s happening at home, in our thoughts, or inside our friendships. It’s hard to receive correction when someone doesn’t have the full picture. But while we can’t control how others speak to us, we can control how we respond.
If your brain sometimes locks up and you’re not sure how to respond, our weekly challenge is here to help. It’s a simple acronym you can remember when things feel overwhelming. You’ll find it right below!
God doesn’t misunderstand you.
He formed you in your mother’s womb, and He knew every single day of your life before your first breath (Psalm 139:13–16). He knew the days you’d laugh with your siblings. The days you’d listen to instructions. The days you’d feel proud of yourself.
And He also knew the days you’d struggle; when focusing felt impossible, when words wouldn’t come out, when emotions piled up, or when you didn’t behave the way you wished you could.
He knew all of it… and He still calls you His child.
He still wants every moment with you; both the strong ones and the messy ones.
So on the days you feel misunderstood or small, remember this:
God already called you enough before you were even born.
And He gives you the wisdom and strength to respond with grace in every situation you face.
You can do this because you are His.
1 Samuel 16:7 (NIV)
“…People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”
Think About It
Have you ever been misunderstood like Carter? How did it make you feel?
What’s something you wish others knew about you when you’re having a hard day?
Why do you think God understands you even when people don’t?
🌙 Week 2 Challenge — R.E.S.T.
Sometimes we need a little help getting our brains moving in the right direction again. Practice the acronym REST during the calm moments — the times you’re not overwhelmed. When you do, it becomes easier to remember when your brain is on overdrive.
It’s a little like building muscle memory. The more you practice it, the quicker it shows up when you need it most.
R — Recognize what’s going on inside you.
Take one quiet moment:
“I’m overwhelmed.”
“I’m tired.”
“My brain shut off.”
E — Explain with simple, honest words.
One sentence is enough:
“I’m trying, but my brain is stuck.”
“I didn’t mean to ignore you.”
S — Slow down and take one small step.
Do just one doable thing: turn your paper, look up, ask for directions again, or breathe before answering.
T — Try again… and talk later if needed.
Ask for a redo now, and when things are calm, explain the full story to someone you trust.