Joel Littlefield

Every Christian from time to time assumes the worst about something or someone. So how can we live without letting our worst thoughts consume us?

1. Know your Enemy

Most of the time when we begin to assume the worst we don’t have all the info yet. Understanding that Satan is the master of lies and deception should lead you to the conclusion that he is always lying to you. Always. So when the sinking feeling sets in that someone is mad at you or that you have offended someone or that so-and-so hasn’t been around because of something you did, remember that the most likely reason for feeling this way is because Satan is systematically seeking to tear down the Church. If he can get you to think these things, even if it’s the furthest from the truth, he gets a small win. Your heart is busy worrying rather than trusting Jesus. The sooner you recognize this tactic the sooner you can counter it. Do this by looking to the one who is always true and faithful. We are called to trust and rely upon a God who actually does have all the info. And He cares. He know everything and is working “all things together for good for those who love Him.”

2. Know your own heart

Jesus has already healed your desperately wicked heart through faith in His cross. He has already shown you the power that conquers darkness and despair and brings eternal life, but you still think you heart knows better than Him. That’s why we fall into the trap of assumption. The reality is that having feelings of failure is quite normal for sinful humans. But Christians have been given a new heart despite our failures. This new heart is one that no longer relies upon the counsel of sin and the flesh, but leans on the counsel of Jesus. Now you are free to say, “Though my heart and flesh may fail, You are the strength of my heart and my portion forever.”

Even if you do fail, and you will, Jesus is still your great Redeemer. Know your own heart enough to pinpoint when it lies to your mind. Let the truth of God come rushing in like a flood, washing you and bringing peace to your heart.

3. Know the truth about God

The first two points in this article are extremely important but are nothing if this last one is ignored. The truth about God is your bedrock. It’s everything for the Christian life. Without God’s truth there is nothing solid to lean on, but only the wishy-washy and ever-changing opinions of this world and its relative truths.

We need conclusions that are built upon solid truth. Assumption, by definition, is information without proof. Think thoughts about yourself and others that are built on something with integrity, like the Word of God. God says that He is in control and gives numerous promises. The responsibility of holding the Church, its people, and your own life together is in His very able hands. Good thing. Take God’s promises, preach them to your heart and declare it over the lies of the enemy.

Be firm in the Lord’s truth and your heart will remain firm. When you hear news that leads you to assume, whether received from the enemy or from your own fleshly heart, you can remain steadfast and immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord.

For the righteous will never be moved; he will be remembered forever. He is not afraid of bad news; his heart is firm, trusting in the LORD.”  (Psalm 112:6-7)