Trust
Have you ever been scammed?
I begin with this question because often, the reason individuals fall victim to scams is due to their trust or belief in the accuracy of the information presented to them. Webster's dictionary defines Trust as a firm belief in the reliability, truth, ability, or strength of someone or something. Well guess what, I recently fell into a scam, although it wasn’t your typical scam story. The scam I encountered was coming from a scam artist that aims to stir up feelings of insecurity, powerlessness, and deception, obscuring the truth in the process.
This year, I rekindled my interest in drawing after a considerable hiatus. Being a bit out of practice, I initially sketched for enjoyment. However, what began as a hobby gradually transformed into drawing and composing uplifting messages, especially for individuals I felt compelled to reach out to. One day, I came across an inspiring message that urged facing one's giants. I felt compelled to draw an image of a hand holding a stone alongside the message "facing your giants." After completing it, I revisited and revised the design numerous times. I also seeked reassurance from others to quiet down my insecurities and affirm the accuracy of my design. The individuals I entrusted to review the drawing all gave it a stamp of approval. Encouraged, I sent the card to a university professor who was facing some challenging moments in her career.
Months later, while reviewing some of my previous designs, I stumbled upon a picture of the card I had crafted for the professor and was shocked by what I discovered. I couldn't believe my eyes; more so, I couldn't fathom how no one had pointed it out. All this time, I had been reading "facing your Giants," yet what I had written on the card was "facing your Griants." How did I miss such a grammatical error? I meticulously reviewed it countless times before sending it out, and others did the same. Why did nobody mention it? Were they apprehensive about speaking the truth, fearing it might hurt my feelings? Were they just being polite? Did they want to keep my motivation going so they just agreed? Or did they simply overlook it, just like me? How did this oversight escape my notice? Insecurities, doubt, and shame began to creep up on me. I began to wonder if I had made a big mistake in believing I could or should do this.
Upon reflecting on this incident, it becomes apparent that the absence of truth often stems from a misleading source that tricks us into believing the worst about ourselves. This deceptive force, personified as "Satan," manipulates the truth and triggers feelings of discouragement, doubt, and shame. Satan's primary objective is to distort God's truth about us, steering us away from our intended purpose.
Instead of embracing the misinformation propagated by this deceitful source, let us actively choose to believe in the Word of God, which stands as the most reliable source of truth. God's truth has the power to prompt change and reveal aspects that we might overlook. It illuminates facets that might be obscured from our view, addressing challenging areas like pride, judgment, and selfishness—qualities that are difficult to confront.
While hearing about our flaws might be uncomfortable, it's crucial to understand that God's Word isn't intended to shame or condemn. It's solely the adversary, "Satan," who stirs negative emotions about ourselves. However, God’s truth liberates us from these deceptive tactics, offering an opportunity for transformation and unveiling unseen realities.
The Word of God emphasizes that He embodies the way, the TRUTH, and the light. Reflecting on my artwork and the error I made, despite the initial frustration, it imparted essential lessons:
- The significance of looking beyond immediate perceptions and aligning with His truth.
- Awareness of deceptive influences seeking to distort God's truth in our lives.
- The importance of embracing His truth, leading to clearer vision, empowerment, and a deeper understanding of our surroundings.