I thought I
was in love.
I was only in the 8th grade then, but I was absolutely smitten with him. Fuzzy bunnies skipping through the grass, butterflies filling the air, and bluebirds chirping melodious songs like they do in Disney movies, could have been the perfect backdrop for my mood whenever I saw him.
The first day of High School, when I learned he went to a different institution, I was bummed out. I had been so excited to see the teenager of my dreams. Just to imagine him walking the halls inside the building and breathing the air I breathed, made my heart flutter.
Yes, I was tripping over him and in serious need of a reality check. But aren't most teens?
Anyway, before I could sulk for too long, though, I got even worse news.
I walked by an open classroom door and noticed one of my good friends from Junior High sitting at a desk with a round belly. I hadn’t spoken to her over the summer so I didn’t know she was pregnant.
As we began talking, she hesitantly told me who the father was—something that sent my heart dropping into my toes.
She and my dreamboat were an official couple and expecting a child together.
Gasp!
Say it ain’t so, I thought, half believing she may have been joking. But no, she wasn’t. She also didn’t apologize for dropping that nuclear bomb on me, despite knowing how much I fancied him. Countless times, I gave her an earful about him, so my devotion to our nonexistent future together was no secret.
I didn’t realize she shared the same fondness of “my guy” and was willing to act on her desires in my absence. I was so incredibly naïve.
My heart was shattered into itty-bitty pieces. I felt betrayed, hurt, stupid and devastated. Still, I forgave her and got over it as time passed on.
But when it initially happened, my whole world came crashing down. It was the first real betrayal I had ever experienced. They say the first one hurts the worst, but I'm not sure how true that is.
I have had my fair share of disappointments.
People I just knew I could trust, in the past, have let me down. Individuals I believed were in my corner wholeheartedly, were secretly plotting against me. Some folks I was convinced loved me, didn’t.
In each instance, when I discovered their insincerity and double-dealing ways, I was crushed.
But you know what?
Those hurtful circumstances blessed my life in immeasurable ways. Now, I am wiser, more observant, and more importantly, able to pass along the wisdom I gained through the pain, in order to help others avoid being hurt.
Earlier this year, I released a free audio teaching that I encourage you to download called “Frenemies." It is designed to help others avoid being duped when they apply the helpful practical and biblical insights the Lord led me to share.
But had I never been hurt, double-crossed or misused, I would not have the insights I do today to share with you and so many others.
See how that works?
God allows you to deal with trials, struggles and deep valleys, all for your making. Whether you have been betrayed in a relationship; financially devastated by the loss of employment, business, or other resources; blindsided by a major health setback; or disappointed in some other area of life, it is not to destroy you.
In fact, what you think will break you, when you’re in God’s hands, will build you up. You grow stronger, wiser, better, more empowered and equipped to take on new challenges.
When you are walking in God’s will, what would weaken someone else, only serves to strengthen you.
This is because of what 1 John 4:4 NIV promises, which is what I’m stirring into your cup of inspiration today: “You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.”
When you drink down the contents of your cup of inspiration, you will be reminded that, no matter how great the opposition, God is greater. Despite how big the challenge, God is bigger. Even though the fight might seem hard, for God, there is nothing too hard.
You are a winner and a victorious overcomer!
Friend, regardless of what’s going on around you, you will rise above it, because of who is inside you.
Be encouraged.
Now let’s pray.
As always, thanks for reading and until next time... may today's cup of inspiration uplift, encourage, and empower you!
God, the enemy is coming at me from so many different angles. If I thought it could go wrong, it has. But yet, I believe that by Your power, I can overcome any challenge, obstacle or circumstance the enemy tries to use to shake my faith. So today, I declare that no weapon formed against me will prosper, because You are for me. Right now, I choose to praise You in the middle of the battle, because I know it is already won. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
If you need prayer, don't hesitate to request it. I would be honored to stand in faith with you. I know that prayer works. CLICK HERE to learn how to submit your prayer request.
