Shepherding: Discerning

Last night, a new one texted that he would like to come over today. Of course, my innate reply would always be yes. But this time with a note of caution for myself within my being as I already had a bad experience with this particular one, in his unfaithfulness in money matter. Today morning when he texted me again for the address I hesitated a bit but finally, texted him, and waited for him to come to visit me. 

In my prayer, I have asked God for discernment in my life. In the past, I have helped so many people just because they asked for help or I wanted to help them, sympathize with them of their situations. But now, I am learning to reject my own feeling and look to the Lord even for so-called "good deeds." The past many "good deeds" I have done only made me realize how much I was in myself, not depending on the Lord. I should now learn to have the same feeling as God and not be deceived by what people say or what I feel as a human being. Satan can play with peoples' emotions very smartly. 

When this new one came, as I expected, he came and requested help. I was firmly determined not to give him any financial help as I have already learned my lesson in people's playing with Christian's emotions. Not to my surprise, he frankly asked for over three weeks of accommodation. He gave reasons to get my sympathy but I was not impressed at all; in fact, I felt like he was playing a trick to get favor from me. This, I already expected from before. Therefore, I frankly told him "NO". And further helped him to not seek any material or monetary help at all while seeking God. If he wants to seek God, seek God purely even without mentioning any of his problems to man. I gave my testimony of bringing all my problems to the Lord for a solution and not mentioning to any men, as much as possible, as my help comes from God and not man. 

I felt this was the lesson he needs to learn now. I even told him not to repeat this kind of trick to get people's sympathy and gain favor for help. I also encouraged him to read the Bible and the Shepherding Materials I gifted him if he was serious about seeking God. 

Today being a holiday, there were not many transport services for him to go back to his lodge. I intentionally did not initiate to drop him. But when he requested for a drop, I felt the need to drop him, but again with much caution. Generally, with other new ones, I would initiate to do all the dropping and help, but with this one, my spirit led me to restraint in not expressing things too soon and waited to do the needful only at the right time. This indeed is a precious lesson I am learning. Even when I went to drop him off, I was exercised within not to fall into the trap of the enemy in case something happens. I no longer take things for granted, even with new ones. I learn to seek the Lord in every minute detail. 

This is a lesson I am learning in shepherding, discerning people so that the proper shepherding can be rendered. 

Lord, give me discernment.