The Deception

The Deception

By: Dorian Brown

               It’s funny how easily Satan deceives us into believing that all the issues in a relationship are a result of one person...the other person. How easily he works his accusatory and bitter grips into the hearts of those involved. Blame enters, and all that is seen are the faults and flaws of others. How often we forget that each one of us carries sin, and just as blaring as the other person’s sin is to us, ours is to them. How tempting the desire to hold on to wrongs and frustrations. How great the temptation to give up…to quit…to say I wasn’t cut out for this and neither are you…goodbye. When self-pity tells us it would be better if they just appreciated us more, if they just listened to what we said and changed, this would all be better if she just…if he just…what? 

                The truth is they (whoever the other person is) will never live up to our expectations. They will never appreciate us the way we believe they should because it is often the nature of sin within us that keeps us consumed with our own world…how he should motivate me…how she should support me. Where is our source? I have been guilty of placing too many expectations on the ones around me to love me the way I think I should be loved. Whether it be my husband, friends, parents, or others I have fallen so readily into the trap that says that my deliverance and freedom, my ability to navigate the waters of life successfully are dependent upon them. I fall so readily into the trap of idolatry I hardly even notice that I am there. 

               So, what’s the solution? What’s they key to my freedom? I believe it’s just one word…remember. Remember the One who loves me perfectly. Remember the One who can take my junk and mess, not allow me to make excuses for the state I’m in and yet love me gently to the place He needs me to be. Remember that we are all works in progress, shades of gray and if I believe the lie of the enemy that they or I should be perfect, then I have successfully worked along with him to sow seeds of division. Remember that I am loved completely and totally- an imperfect daughter loved by her perfect Heavenly Father…and how amazing is that?