July 17th Devotion

Wreck the Devil’s Plan for Your Life
By Kelly Balarie

“(Love) bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.” – 1 Cor. 13:7

Does this person even want to have a relationship with me? I wondered that as I stared at my text message. I had sent them an audio recording from my heart. I got back a few words via text message. A week later, wanting to stay in relationship, I sent another text message. It took days until I heard back from them. Could they be upset at me? Could they be angry? Maybe they didn’t like me anymore… Thoughts of what-if and oh-no went through my head.

Ever been there? What do we do when we don’t know what someone else is thinking? Do we just assume what is going through their head? Do we make up a story in our mind as to what is going on with them?

Friends, I have done both things, for sure. And, I have also ended and wrecked relationships. Building a story so big and so detailed in my mind, I have convinced myself that the person is doing this because of that and I blow everything up. But were they even doing that, or did I just assume some wild conspiracy in my mind?

Assumptions and presumptions lead to destruction. Destruction is the devil’s plan for your life. At the same time, hard conversations forge enduring connections. Asking questions and seeking to understand open doorways of greater intimacy and trust (if we take the risk) For instance, I can ask my friend who didn’t text me a lot, “I was wondering, did I do anything to upset you?” They may answer, “No. I have been traveling outside the country for two weeks and didn’t have much internet access.”

Knowledge is power. Many times, when it comes to the unknown, we create mental stories. Half the time, these stories are wrong. The other half of the time, people may have a good reason for acting the way they do. They may be in their own process with God. We don’t have to believe the worst when we hit road bumps in relationships, we can extend people the benefit of the doubt and choose to believe the best.

Remember, there are no perfect relationships, just growing ones. Just as we want others to believe the best about us, we are wise to believe the best about others. Doing this, destroys the all the enemy’s schemes to wreck love and relational connection.

“(Love) bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.” – 1 Cor. 13:7

God is love. Against love the devil has no stand.