Sometimes the biggest shocks in life are ones that come from friends.  We think we have a friend who sticks closer than a brother yet behind our backs is a different story.  With a sincere heart we donate to help one in need.  We try to raise money through charities and donations then learn our donations were used for drugs.  The need was exaggerated in order to gather funds to support a habit.

In another situation we are lead to believe fund raisers are going to help families in need for Christmas presents for children.  Later it is learned that all donations were used to create a consignment store and no family got help.

One more deception is when we are lead to believe there is a genuine need for emotional support, counsel and prayers.  While we pray and get others to join and believe for a miracle, our friend is giving no thought to our efforts while delving into things of the devil. 

These examples are actual things that have happened to some of us in different ways at different times.  There are numerous deceptions where we are made to think we are doing a good deed when there is no need at all.  That is the worst kind of deception friends can do to a friend.

When the truth hits it can hurt really badly.  We feel our efforts were in vain after so much time and effort was spent trying to help.  Numerous emotions come to our minds such as anger, grief, shock, distrust and never wanting to help anyone ever again.  What do we do with these emotions?

First of all, God is not the author of lies or deceptions.  The devil comes to kill, steal and destroy and one of his biggest tricks is to come as a wolf in sheep’s clothing.  What we meant for good even though trampled God can turn it back to good to us.  We acted in good faith and obedience to the word of God and those are the actions we are responsible for.  The actions of the deceiver are between them and God.  It’s time to put a smile back on our faces and give thanks to God because He never changes.  He is holding our hand and smiling on us.  He has plans for the ones who hurt and deceived us but those plans are not for us to know.  The important thing is that we have another opportunity to forgive and there is one more treasure placed in heaven just for us. 

Psalm 55:21-22  New Living Translation

His words are as smooth as butter, but in his heart is war. His words are as soothing as lotion, but underneath are daggers!  Give your burdens to the Lord, and He will take care of you.  He will not permit the godly to slip and fall.