Sephia

Love has it’s own tricks and turn

The dummy always get stuck with no restraint

And eventually, the dummy gets hurt and can’t love anymore

~photo is not mine.

The Power of Assumptions

~picture isn’t mine.

“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” 2 Timothy 1:7 (NKJV)

Assumption, we all do it all the time and it’s costly.

The assumption battle is one I have fought most of my life. I’ve questioned friends’ motives, assuming they were against me. To avoid being hurt, I’ve detached from relationships with no valid reasons.

Perhaps you’ve fought the same battle?

Your friend didn’t sit with you in Bible study like she usually does; she must be upset with you, so you avoid her at your weekly meetings. Another friend is invited to several parties you aren’t; obviously the two of you are drifting apart, so you don’t reach out any more. Your sister hasn’t responded to your text and phone messages; she must have found another friend in whom to confide, so you stop calling her.

It’s easy to assume others are upset, have “more important” friends, or are too busy for us when their behavior changes. Anger and hurt can well up in our hearts and we may pull away from friendships in order to protect ourselves. There is a danger in assumptions: they can destroy relationships.

Before we know it, even without proof, what we assume becomes our truth. Our misguided feelings lead to misguided thoughts, which cause misguided responses. The result: ruined relationships.

Living under the havoc of assumptions isn’t the way God intended it though. Second Timothy 1:7 tells us, “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind” (NKJV). Looking at the last part of this verse, we see God gives us the ability to think, reason, and understand.

Through Christ, we have a mind that is well balanced and considers things in context. Our sound mind is stronger than our feelings, but we have to give our thoughts time to catch up with our emotions. A good way to do this is to pause and think clearly about the conclusions we’ve made.

When an assumption rears its ugly head, simply take a moment to ask if this assumption is consistent with your friend’s normal behavior. If it isn’t, this would be a good time to ask a few more questions: Is my friend okay? Have I done anything to hurt her? How can I pray for her? Do I believe the best before assuming the worst?

Repeat the pause until the assumption passes. The result: positive relationships.

Ruined relationships can be prevented and assumptions can be put to rest when we stop and focus on our thoughts. God has blessed us with a sound mind to surrender to the truth and not allow our imaginations to run wild.

Before the power of assumptions ruins a relationship in your life, pause. Settle your emotions and consider what you know to be true about your friend. Take a moment to pray for her and plan how to reach out to her. She might just be struggling with her own assumptions that you could help her clear up!

Dear Lord, thank You for empowering me to overpower assumptions. I commit to believe the best before assuming the worst, and to not allow my emotions to jump to conclusions. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Related Resources:
Would you like to bring the message of this devotion to the women of your church? Click here to find out more about considering Wendy Pope as your next retreat / key note speaker. And be sure to visit Wendy’s blog today as she shares how she overcame the power assumptions had on her life.

Trusting God for a Better Tomorrow Bible Study by Wendy Pope, available in a printable download, Kindle, Nook, and hardcopy.

The I Am His medallion necklace is a great reminder that we belong to Christ and His truths are ours to hold on to! Click here for more information.

Reflect and Respond:
What power have assumptions had on your life?

Reach out and make an attempt to reconcile with someone with whom you made an assumption.

Power Verses:
2 Corinthians 10:5, “We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” (NIV)

Philippians 2:4, “Don’t be concerned only about your own interests, but also be concerned about the interests of others.” (GW)

~Credit to Proverbs 31 Ministries

My Weakness Is Killing Me

“But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.” 2 Corinthians 12:9 (NIV)

Here I am once again; sadden by the actions of my sins.

It’s a cycle that never ends; it’s the same trouble I’m always in.

I try so hard to not be tempted, but there are those moments, I find myself in it.

Too hard on myself, one would say, but I’m living proof of all the mistakes that I chose everyday

The aftermath of my sins, causes me to think again and again.

Why Lord, why have you created me? Why did you choose me? I’m so tired of choosing to live as Your enemy.

The more I choose my flesh, the more I’ve become so ugly inside and selfish.

I’m so tired, I’m so weary, and I’m always hurting myself endlessly.

Some days I make it, some days I fake it.

Hear me Lord, what’s wrong with me? I’m I the woman, that You want me to be?

Quickly Lord, please take me home. This world I live in, is cutting me to the bones.

I’m just so tired…

Well-Meaning Soul

I seek a well-meaning soul that desires to be radical

But there are distractions, and it won’t allow me to be different

It’s easy to sell myself to empty pleasures of this place

It’s easy to be conned by the façade of what seems to be pretty

If only happiness is not so hard to find, If only I knew every answer

Then I would say my ultimate existence in life is complete, yes?

All the while someone is calling my soul to break away from these thoughts of emptiness

To enter the secret place of security and satisfaction

Therefore, I have to make a choice

I’m desperate and I know It, I’m feeling pressed to make a decision fast

Why is it so hard for me to decide?

I can almost feel the walls forming an alliance against me

So, I’m holding my tongue and I’m holding on to my thoughts

I’m going to break through and decide right now

Life. Life. That’s what I want. I want to live.

Whatever it takes, I’m choosing forever with this someone.

I’m choosing consistency. I’m choosing faith.

 

~Picture is not mine and my poem is inspired by Proverbs 31 Ministries.

You Never Let Go

~I feel like I’m being washed and tossed in the chaos of this ugly world. This song depicts the image in my soul clinging to the hands of God. The God that I fear. The God that I love above all else. I know that He’s not letting go of my fingers. No, He will not let go.

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death
Your perfect love is casting out fear
And even when I’m caught in the middle of the storms of this life
I won’t turn back
I know you are near

And I will fear no evil
For my God is with me
And if my God is with me
Whom then shall I fear?
Whom then shall I fear?

(Chorus:)
Oh no, You never let go
Through the calm and through the storm
Oh no, You never let go
In every high and every low
Oh no, You never let go
Lord, You never let go of me

And I can see a light that is coming for the heart that holds on
A glorious light beyond all compare
And there will be an end to these troubles
But until that day comes
We’ll live to know You here on the earth

(Chorus)

Yes, I can see a light that is coming for the heart that holds on
And there will be an end to these troubles
But until that day comes
Still I will praise You, still I will praise You

Christian lyrics – YOU NEVER LET GO LYRICS – MATT REDMAN

Dear Friday

Dear Friday,

Today is Friday. Another day of an 8-5 pm shift. Lunch at noon and back to my desk at 1pm. What does all this mean? What’s my goal? What do I want to accomplish? What do I want to do? Lord, what is Your dream for my life? Please awake what’s been tucked in my heart. Emerge those hopes and dreams that You want to fulfill in me. I feel that today is another ordinary day of living and working. I feel like I’ve drifted off course, away from what God intention for me. I also feel that my heart has grown cold to the things of God lately. Because I know that I’m drifting away from the Lord, I am having a hard time paddling my boat. I’m actually paddling against the current really. It’s hard, nearly impossible to win this water battle. And so, I give up. I sound like a broken record again. But yes, I give up. It’s tiring to travel this river alone. I’m getting back on course again. I’m guarding my heart and mind against attitudes and ideologies that would carry me away from God’s truth. Instead, I’m choosing to paddle my lifeboat towards the Lord by meditating on Scriptures, praying and  living obediently. Practicing discipline will help keep my heart warm towards God.

Love,

Sue

 

~I hope you’re inspired today. It’s not too late to get back on course. Thank you Lord for giving me hope. My hope in you never fails. (2 Peter 3:17 and Luke 15:11-32)

~picture is not mine.

 

Let Me Dance

~picture is not mine

Sometimes my voice is too loud for me hear that my heart is shaking in fear.

I’m afraid. I’m afraid of change. I’m afraid of losing control.

I try my best to list all the reasons why, but it’s no use.

And at times, it hurts so bad. I’m hurt all over if I’m not careful. I’m losing the battle.

But what am I to say? This darkness that stares me in the face. I can’t fight it alone. Oh no, I’m so afraid.

Help, help, I’m out of control. I’m falling apart. Someone save me.

Stuck in a spiral of my indecisiveness, why, why am I like this?

I feel feeble and utterly crushed at times; I mean, I can’t even hear groan of anguish in my heart.

My guilt has overwhelmed me, it’s like a burden too heavy to bear.

I’m like a deaf woman who does  not hear because she is stuck in a deep hole which she created for herself.

Like a mute who can offer no reply in her defense, I can’t speak at all

I am so helpless, I am so worried, I offer no excuses for my actions, for I am guilty, no justification.

But, But even so, among  all that is against me, I am still alive.

Because I am waiting upon the Lord for my strength. I will wait for His answer.

I’ve confessed my iniquity to Him; for I was troubled by my sin

Though many are judging me now and hating me, I am right with God. I am honest with my Father.

I have no more fear, I am redeemed. I am free from my troubled past.

My Lord has not forsaken me, He has totally set me free from my destructive self.

I am free to dance, so please, just let me dance.

 

~late night poem inspired by Psalm 38.

 

Black and White

You flaunt all you have but in the end you’ve always been empty

You search for true love, but really, you’ve never loved anyone but yourself

You search high and low, only to find, that you were always the problem

All is lost and you continue to live in defeat, believing that this is all you know

You’ve lost. You gave up. You gave up on love.

And so, the cycle continues and you’re still searching for true love

But it will never come because you lost yourself long ago…

~photo is not mine.

That’s it, I’m done.

My thoughts are not your thoughts,

My hope and your hope are totally different,

So why are we together?

Let’s end it now before the hurt deepens any further,

I don’t want to see you cry,

Likewise, you wouldn’t want to see my cry,

Let this ending be a life learning lesson,

Don’t make promises you can’t deliver,

Don’t borrow what you can’t return,

It’s tricky the way love works,

You can’t nurture what doesn’t want to be fed,

You can’t water what’s already dead,

Stop it, just stop it,

This is it, it’s too painful,

You’re breaking my heart,

That’s it, I’m out, and I’m gone,

I’m done. I can’t handle this.

~It’s easy to walk away from our hurt, and that my friend, is how the world operates. Our attitude is, “If this person can’t give me what I need or deserve and can’t make me happy, then I’m ditching him or her.” But why were you in the relationship in the first place? Doesn’t that make you selfish brat? You better be careful what you say or do to someone, because I guarantee you, it will bite you back so hard that it hurts emotionally and physically.

~photo is not mine.