Discernment (2)

I used to wonder why certain relationships crumble so easily, why someone who once seemed so present, intentional, and sincere could transform almost overnight into a stranger.

But God showed me that the truth is seldom abrupt; it doesn’t suddenly appear, it gradually rises to the surface. And when it finally does, it can feel like the ground beneath you shifts.

When the truth about this person was revealed, it was a spiritual wake-up call. I had prayed for clarity, but I didn’t expect clarity to come in the form of heartbreak. Still, God answered.

(Sometimes the most merciful thing God can do is let something fall apart.)

For a long time, I wrestled with the question:
“How could someone hide so much? How could I not see it?”

However, the more I prayed, the more I understood that discernment doesn’t always prevent pain, sometimes it helps you interpret and go through it.

God exposing him was not to embarrass me, nor was it some sort of punishment. It was an act of divine mercy and protection. I was essentially being rescued.

Wolves don’t show their teeth immediately. They appear patient, attentive —even spiritual—until God shines His light on their intentions. It wasn’t that I lacked wisdom. It was that the situation needed time to reveal its true nature.

Many of us suffer not because God failed to warn us, but because we moved faster than His voice. We saw chemistry, so we assumed that meant confirmation. Attention was misinterpreted as intention. And, sadly, we mistook charisma for character.

The truth is that sometimes what excites you isn’t always something that is meant to bless you. What feels good isn’t always what is from God.

This is why spiritual discernment is not optional, it’s essential for survival in this world.

Jesus warned us:

Take heed that no man deceive you.

Matthew 24:4 (KJV)

One of the hardest lessons I’ve learned is that God sometimes blocks what we want because He sees what we cannot beyond human reasoning.

We pray for a godly spouse, but the enemy sends a counterfeit dressed in everything we admire. If, as believers, we’re not rooted, we’ll confuse a distraction for destiny.

But God, in His mercy, steps in; interrupting, disrupting, exposing, and removing everything not of Him. At first it will feels like loss, but later we will realize it was His deliverance. And eventually, like I did, you will begin to heal.

Discernment is not being suspicious of everyone. It’s being alert and yielded, letting God guard what you cannot see and trusting His “No” as much as you do His “yes”.

Now, when I look back, I can say with gratitude, “God, I thank You for what You didn’t let happen”.

Because when God writes someone’s story, it can only be wonderful and so very bright.