It’s a tough life lesson to comprehend, but sometimes people let you down. Sometimes, it’s the people you’d least expect: the leader at your school, the pastor of your church, the athlete you admire, or even your best friend. Without even realizing it, we put halos around humans, and we give people too much praise. We forget that everyone sins, and everyone is equally condemned before a just, sinless God.
Because of this, we put certain people on pedestals to an unrealistic level. I have often been guilty of this, myself. I forget that my role model or friend is a sinful human being capable of mistakes. As a result, I want to provide some Biblical advice and encouragement to anyone struggling with disappointment from friends and role models.
Psalms 111:8-9: It is better to take refuge in the Lord, than to trust in man. It is better to take refuge in the Lord, than to trust in princes.
Isaiah 31:1: Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help and rely on horses, and trust in chariots because they are many, and in horsemen because they are very strong, but they do not look to the Holy one of Israel, nor seek the Lord!
Jeremiah 17:5: Thus says the Lord, cursed is the man who trusts in mankind and makes flesh his strength, and whose heart turns away from the Lord.
First off, I want to clarify. Everyone needs examples and people to look up to. Don’t get me wrong. I have plenty of people I watch and try to model my life after. I admire John Piper’s relationship with Christ, Russell Wilson’s resiliency, and Lecrae’s boldness in his music. Admiring others is not necessarily wrong to do. In fact, modeling your life after others can help us grow closer to Christ. The issue occurs when we put the decisions and opinions of others above God. We’ll say in our minds, If only I could be like him; if only people would like me as much as her. These thoughts are so easy to think, but so destructive at the same time.
When someone we respect or love makes a mistake, our feelings are hurt and our emotions can be full of sadness, anger, and confusion. We often think, I can’t believe he did that. I thought he was better than that. How could he let me down? The problem is that we make their actions personally offensive. We put too much of our trust and our hope into men. We forget this amazing truth. Our goal in life is not to be like John Piper, Russell Wilson, or Lecrae. Our goal is to be like Jesus. It’s so simple, yet so easily forgotten.
Believe me, I speak from experience. It hurts when people let you down. But it’s inevitable; it’s going to happen. It’s a fact of life. Even the godliest and most admirable people make mistakes. However, it’s incredible to realize that Jesus will never let you down. It’s encouraging to realize that it’s impossible for Jesus to be anything less than you think He is. Put all your strength, all your hope, and all your life into Him.
