Trusting In Mankind

Scripture

A curse on anyone who trust in mortals and leans for support on human kind, while his heart is far from the LORD.

~Jeremiah 17:5, REB

Quote

If I am to meet with disappointment, the sooner I know it, the more of life I shall have to wear it off.

~Thomas Jefferson

The middle verse in the bible is Psalms 118:8-9, It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in humans. It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in princes [Politicians]. What does in mean to trust in humans? It is to build your life on the approval of people. You feel good about yourself only if someone is romantically in love with you, or you are being praised for your job performance or complimented on your appearance, gifts and intellect. This makes you needy for sexual intimacy and praise. It also means you are devastated when you do not get affirmed by others. I remember the days of old when I craved a compliment on my preaching. I got so desperate that on one Sunday, I asked June [on the way home], “What did you think of the sermon?” Without hesitation or emotion, she said curtly, “I have heard worse.” Needless to say, that was not what I was fishing for.

It didn’t happen over night but over time I learned to get my affirmation from the LORD. All humans will let you down simply because they are human. A sure recipe for misery is to put too much confidence in mankind. Some people have unrealistic expectations of others and they live in constant disappointment. Don’t expect humans to understand your situation or even to care. Don’t expect them to be perfect. Keep their flawed nature in mind; they are just as messed up as you are so why do you expect them to carter to your needs. If a human befriends you or is kind to you: be thankful but when they are not, do not be shocked. The difference between being a happy person and a miserable person is understanding our flawed and fallen human nature. People are going to let you down so don’t be shocked and don’t get angry.

Another beautiful day, I do love fall weather. One reason, about the only one that I was anxious to retire was to get out of going to meetings, especially Associational meetings. Last night was our Annual Meeting, the one big Business meeting for the Association. The only meetings I do not hate or prayer meetings: I despise business meeting and the only thing that runs a close second is a finance meeting. Ken did me wrong, he put a bug in one of my members ear and he got on to me Sunday about the meeting, so I went but there will not be a reward for me because I didn’t want to go. There was one redeeming thing: Junior preached but the sound system was horrible and I couldn’t understand half of what he said.

Now tonight I have a meeting that I am excited about; it is a prayer meeting.

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