Suspicious

There are times when suspicious behavior is obvious. There are other times when it’s not as noticeable. I have met people who are probably suspicious of their own mother. They are suspicious of everyone.  My friends in law enforcement can tell some stories about suspicion that help me understand why they are often suspicious and careful to monitor behavior of people.

Politicians are suspicious of other politicians.

World leaders are suspicious of other world leaders.

Sometimes pastors are suspicious of other pastors.

Brothers and sisters are suspicious of other family members.

Suspicious is really a distrust or a “cautious distrust” of others. I have been harmed by people before and that causes me to distrust them going forward. If they have apologized and made amends, it’s still hard to forget how they hurt me.

King David heard about the death of a fellow king. In his attempt to show sympathy, his gestures were interpreted as suspicious. Check this out….

¹ Some time after this, King Nahash of the Ammonites died, and his son Hanun became king. ² David said, “I am going to show loyalty to Hanun because his father, Nahash, was always loyal to me.” So David sent messengers to express sympathy to Hanun about his father’s death.

But when David’s ambassadors arrived in the land of Ammon, ³ the Ammonite commanders said to Hanun, “Do you really think these men are coming here to honor your father? No! David has sent them to spy out the land so they can come in and conquer it!” ⁴ So Hanun seized David’s ambassadors and shaved them, cut off their robes at the buttocks, and sent them back to David in shame. (1 Chronicles 19:1-4 NLT)

I think lack of communication can arouse suspicion. If I believe someone is out to harm me, I will be highly aware of their behavior. I will notice their “fake friendliness” and their interactions with others around me.  If I’m trying to be kind of someone who is suspicious of me, then my kindness will be misinterpreted as having an ulterior motive.

I think the only way to ward off suspicion is to openly discuss it with the person I’m suspicious of or is suspicious of me. I am doing my best to live my life serving others and I don’t want to harm others in order to help me.   Elvis Presley  recorded a song called “Suspicious Minds” in 1969 that speaks of suspicion in relationship.  Suspicious behavior will destroy a healthy relationship quickly. I need the Lords help in restoring trust in others.  Suspicion can make me feel “in control”, but in fact, I’m releasing control to the person I’m suspicious of.  I want to cultivate healthy relationships all around and I want to believe the best in people.

Pressing On!

Dwayne