Some days of my high school years were more memorable than others. I remember marching in the band, paying for my lunch with pennies because I could, bowling for P.E., getting mono, roses delivered during government class, and getting engaged. But the day of school that I remember and laugh about the most is the day the drug sniffing dogs came to school.

Everyone of us in the school were told to go to the gym. We weren’t told why, but we being know it all teenagers figured it out. I wasn’t nervous or even scared. I had nothing in my backpack, locker, or car that those dogs would find. I did not do drugs and none of my friends did either. Needless to say I was shocked when they called me off of those bleachers! I knew I pocessed nothing, but when someone thinks you do you begin to doubt yourself. Did someone plant something? Was someone trying to get me in trouble? The walk from the gym to my car felt like it took forever. There was my little red car surrounded by police officers and a drug sniffing dog. I was told to open the doors and pop the trunk. Do you know what that dog found? My McDonald wrappers. Yep, I had eaten in the car and had not thrown away my trash. 

I say all of that to make this point. Being wrongly accused isn’t fun, but it is so much better than being accused and found guilty of doing something wrong. At times we will be accused or talked bad of, but how we handle it will speak volumes of our character. In 1 Peter 3:13-17 we have a way laid out how to handle being falsely accussed – “And who is he that will harm you, if ye be followers of that which is good? But and if ye suffer for righteousness’ sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled; But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear: Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ. For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing.”

When we are accused, we first need to see if it fits. If it doesn’t then we handle it the best way, God’s way. And maybe one day, you can look back and laugh about it.

By: Kristina Odom