Sugar or Salt?

You have decided to do some baking and you find yourself looking at 2 bowls of white, odorless, crystalline granules . . . One is SALT, the other is SUGAR?? Can you tell which bowl is sugar, and which bowl is salt, just by looking at them, or even by touch or smell alone? You could try to guess, but when it comes to baking, or even cooking, it makes a big difference! Ultimately, you will probably go for a quick taste test to determine which is sugar and which is salt.

The same could be said about communication and relationships. You could try to guess the meaning of that smile, or that confused look on someone's face, or that frown? And we often “guess” at even the meaning of a story just shared with us. But how many times have you later found out just how wrong you were? That smile meant they were trying to be patient when you thought they were genuinely happy and relaxed. The confused look was about a distant sound in the background, instead of what you just said. That frown was because they just remembered they forgot to stop at the grocery store on the way home, not because you got home later than usual. The story they just told you, was about them feeling scared, instead of asking for your help to solve it. Looks and even words, can be deceiving … and often misinterpreted.

Can you tell if what you are seeing or hearing is truth . . . or not?

Good communication takes time and effort, and sometimes even extra time and effort! Sometimes we need to ask for someone to repeat what was said, to make sure we even heard correctly. Are we even paying attention, or just thinking our own thoughts about something else at the moment? Can we be intentional, to see them, to hear them for understanding, or are we just taking up mutual space?

We all want and need to be seen and heard, we need each other, and we ALL want and need truth! Something settles in us when we hear the truth. It resonates in us. Even when the truth is difficult, it is better than the unknown, the wondering, the unsettled feeling of disconnect or discontent, when we know something is off.

When we detect something is off, this is called discernment. To discern is to perceive or recognize something, perceiving the true character of and the source. We desperately need discernment, in all areas of our lives. Without it, there is chaos, internally and /or externally, and a lack of peace.

The heart of spiritual discernment is being able to distinguish the voice of the world from the voice of God.

Discernment and wisdom are true gifts from God ~

Kings 3:9 So give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong.

James 1:5 If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.

Proverbs 3: 5-6 NIV 5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; 6 in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.

Proverbs 3:5-6 Message Trust GOD from the bottom of your heart; don’t try to figure out everything on your own. Listen for GOD’s voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; he’s the one who will keep you on track.

Psalm 34:8 NLT Taste and see that the LORD is good. Oh, the joys of those who take refuge in him!

Let’s not guess, but be intentional to see, hear, and lean in to discern truth, to connect and love well ~

‍