Trust Your Instincts

Whether you call it instinct, discernment, or a gut feeling, God often uses that inner stirring to protect us before we fully understand what’s happening around us.

We’ve all experienced that unsettling feeling when something about a person or situation doesn’t sit right. At first, we try to rationalize it away. We tell ourselves we’re overthinking, being too sensitive, or projecting past pain onto new people. But sometimes, that discomfort is not fear — it’s discernment.

I’ve been hurt enough times to know the difference.

Recently, I walked through a situation I never thought I’d experience again. I let my guard down and opened my heart to someone who appeared to be a sister in Christ. We prayed together, supported one another, shared conversations about faith and our struggles and I genuinely believed the connection was safe. Yet for weeks, something in my spirit felt unsettled. The interactions shifted. The energy changed. I mentioned it to my mother and daughter, and both not only understood but briefly experienced the awkwardness themselves.

So, I began moving carefully.

As much as I wanted to believe I was wrong, I wasn’t. That experience immediately reminded me of Judas. Not because I compare myself to Jesus, but because betrayal from someone close cuts differently. Jesus broke bread with Judas knowing betrayal was already in motion. 

Imagine loving, serving, and pouring into someone while they secretly prepared to hand you over.

Luke 22:48 says:

“But Jesus asked him, ‘Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?’”

Sometimes betrayal doesn’t come looking like an enemy. Sometimes it comes disguised as support, loyalty, friendship, or even spirituality.

That’s why discernment matters.

God will often warn us before the attack fully reveals itself. The Bible tells us in Isaiah 54:17:

“No weapon formed against you shall prosper.”

Notice it says the weapon will form, not that it won’t exist. The enemy will try. People will disappoint you. Some will smile to your face while secretly hoping for your downfall. But the reason the weapon won’t prosper is because God equips His children with wisdom, discernment, and spiritual armor before destruction can take place.

Ephesians 6 reminds us to put on the full armor of God because spiritual warfare is real. Not everyone who speaks the language of faith truly walks in the heart of God. A lying tongue, a manipulative spirit, jealousy, envy, and hidden motives cannot coexist with genuine love for God.

And while this situation hurt, it also strengthened me.

It reminded me that God had already made provision before the betrayal unfolded. He prepared me emotionally, spiritually, and mentally to move accordingly. What the enemy meant for harm only pushed me closer to wisdom and deeper into discernment.

Will I stop helping people? Absolutely not.

I have a servant’s heart, and I refuse to let betrayal harden what God created to love. But I will move differently. I will pray harder. I will pay attention sooner. I will trust the Holy Spirit when He nudges me instead of ignoring the warning signs for the sake of giving people the benefit of the doubt.

The enemy is slick and takes on many forms, but God is greater.

And when you truly belong to God, you can rest in knowing this: people may try you, lie on you, betray you, or attempt to break you, but God always has the final say.

Romans 8:31 says:

“If God is for us, who can be against us?”

Trust what God is showing you. Trust the shift you feel. Trust the peace that leaves when something is wrong. And most importantly, trust that God will never leave His children unprotected.

Prayer

Heavenly Father,

Thank You for being a God who protects, warns, and covers Your children even when we cannot see what’s happening behind the scenes. Lord, sharpen our discernment and help us recognize when something is not aligned with Your will. 

Teach us to trust Your voice over our emotions and to walk in wisdom without becoming bitter or hardened by betrayal.

Heal every heart that has been wounded by people they trusted. Restore peace where confusion tried to enter. 

Give us the strength to continue loving and serving others while remaining spiritually alert and grounded in You.

Remind us daily that no weapon formed against us shall prosper because You are our defender, protector, and refuge.

Thank You for always making provision before the battle even begins.

It's in Jesus’ mighty name we pray,
Amen