Love Requires Perseverance, The Ability To Look Past Flaws And See The Potential In The Eyes of another
My grandmother used to say, even when God doesn’t take away the troubled waters of your life, he is the Bridge you can lean on no matter what storms may come your way.
The Lord upholds all who are falling and raises up all who are bowed down." (Psalm 145:14) (
If we’re honest, in spite of our good intentions to really be there for people, to stick with them “no matter what,” to love them “unconditionally,” we all fall short. At the same time, this reality is also true for those we look to for strength. Yes, we can look to family for help, but you know how it feels to be disappointed by the very people who promised to “uphold us” when we’re falling and to “raise us up” when we are bowed down.
The only one who has never disappointed me is God. God's faithfulness is best seen in our lord and savior Jesus Christ. If you look to another person to be this “Bridge over the troubled waters” of your life you are expecting someone else to do something only God can do for us.
Only God has the power to heal every disease. Only he can raise the dead, to create out of nothing. Only he has the strength to carry all our sins to the cross. Only he has the power to declare sinners into saints. And only he can promise to lift up those who are broken and bowed down and make good on his word.
Yes, even when God doesn’t take away the “troubled waters” of your life, he is the Bridge you can lean on no matter what storms may come your way.
ROHO Founder, ROHO ps: Use these daily devotionals as you take time to sacrifice in order to clear distractions and recommit your life to Jesus. ( PLEASE MAKE YOUR $5 DONATION TODAY. YOUR GIVING IS VITAL. GIVE as God Had Given To You.
Scripture for Meditation
Psalm 27:10 (KJV): "When my father and mother forsake me, then the Lord will take me up." When the people closest to us fail us—and they will—this word reminds us that God's arms are never too short to reach us. He does not abandon us when others do.
Lamentations 3:22-23 (NKJV): "Through the Lord's mercies we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness." Each sunrise brings fresh mercies from a God who never runs out of grace. Your disappointments cannot exhaust His commitment to you.
Hebrews 13:5-6 (KJV): "Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me." This is not a promise that others won't hurt you—it's a promise that the only Helper you ultimately need will never walk away.
Walking It Out
Examine your expectations today. Write down one relationship where you feel disappointed. Ask yourself honestly: Have I been expecting this person to do what only God can do? Release them from that impossible burden, and redirect your deepest trust toward the Father.
Be the bridge for someone else. You cannot be their ultimate strength, but you can point them to the One who is. Reach out to someone who is falling or bowed down. Don't promise more than you can deliver—instead, remind them of God's faithfulness and offer your presence as a reflection of His love.
Pray this truth over your most painful relationship. Take time to intercede specifically for anyone who has let you down. Ask God to heal your heart and to strengthen that person where they are weak. This releases bitterness and aligns your heart with God's grace.
A Prayer for You
Lord, forgive me for placing the weight of your work on human shoulders. Thank you for never disappointing me, even when every person I trusted has fallen short. Help me to see people through your eyes—flawed, yes, but worthy of my love and patience because they, too, are leaning on you. Give me the grace to be a bridge that points others to you, and the wisdom to anchor my heart in your faithfulness alone. In Jesus' name, Amen.
About the Author
Rev. Nicholas S. Richards is an ordained minister, author of Destiny DNA, and founder of ROHO. For over 11 years, he has written more than 6,000 daily devotionals reaching believers worldwide. Learn more about Rev. Richards.