After this he loved a woman in the Valley of Sorek, whose name was Delilah. And the lords of the Philistines came up to her and said to her, “Seduce him, and see where his great strength lies, and by what means we may overpower him, that we may bind him to humble him. And we will each give you 1,100 pieces of silver.” So Delilah said to Samson, “Please tell me where your great strength lies, and how you might be bound, that one could subdue you.”
Judges 16:4-5
Father God, grant me wisdom today regarding with whom I place my trust. Help me to be discerning about my relationships, recognizing that others’ motivations may not be genuine. I do not want this looming doubt to influence how I show up to others. Nor do I want to pass judgment on their values or constantly question their motivations. Instead, it is my desire to engage them with integrity and Christlikeness, open and transparent, loving them in spite of them. LORD, be my protector, shielding my heart from the hurt that will come from being that kind of vulnerable. Raise up around me people who genuinely love me and are not looking to take advantage of me, while still shielding me from the the pain that can come from those whose intentions are less noble. Shield me from the rebound relationships where after disappointment I can show up either callous or gullible. Help me to be neither, but instead more like Jesus. It’s in His Name I pray. Amen.