#4 The Enemy is Happy for You to Believe

As I have kicked off my 2026 Blog theme, 26 Things I have Learned About God, Husbands, and Kids, I have focused on how we make assumptions in these key relationships. In my upcoming posts, I will explore how to avoid assumptions, specifically with adult sons and daughters (this goes both ways, so I hope it will offer some insights for both generations), but today I want to address how we often make assumptions about God.

An assumption is defined as a fact, statement, or proposition taken for granted. The enemy is described throughout scripture as a liar. His favorite thing to do is to make a statement or proposition and hope we fall for it. He plants a seed that we water into a full-blown assumption. Here are three assumptions that I encourage you to uproot:

1. Don’t assume that things must stay the way they are.

Everyone in my family has always… (Just fill in the blank)

Since I was a kid, I have always struggled with… (Yep... you know what phrase goes here)

Whether it is a physical problem, relationship issues, financial problems, an insecurity struggle, or a generational sin, we have all encountered at least one of these issues. These are the types of things that have a history, and the enemy tells us, “This is just the way it is for you.” Don’t believe that lie.

Instead, make it the one thing that you will knock the doors of heaven down praying about. Be specific. Ask the Lord to break the pattern with you. If you can’t muster the energy to do it for you, do it for those you love who come after you. I often think about the many prayers Chris’s mom prayed over his life, that God would break generational sin and begin a new legacy in their family. It didn’t happen overnight, but in time, God answered in a powerful and undeniable way.

Faith is a gift. Ask God for more faith to see victory in that area. Sometimes God changes things in ways that we don’t expect. Sometimes, He requires us to be a part of the solution. Sometimes, persistence is needed. But He is for your good and makes all things new.

2. Don’t assume God is disappointed in you.

It always breaks my heart how many people have decided that one decision or one season of their life has left them forever a disappointment in God’s eyes. The ramifications of making this assumption are staggering. Slowly or quickly, you stop coming to the Lord out of a sense of shame, and that leaves you either trying to fend for yourself or villainize God to soothe the unresolved ache of rejection.

As I am in the latter part of Luke in my priority time, I keep reading accounts of how the disciples fell short. Jesus sits down at the Last Supper to paint the picture of how He will now become the spotless sacrifice with His own body, and yet in that same meal, He acknowledges that one of His closest companions will betray Him. The conversation goes further downhill as the 12 don’t even acknowledge the sacrifice, instead shifting to pointing fingers of guilt and arguing who is best. Judas, Peter, Thomas, and the disciples who could not heal are just a few examples of the people closest to Jesus falling short. But at that very same table, He said, 

28 “You are the ones who have stood by Me in My trials; 29and just as My Father has granted Me a kingdom, I grant you 30that you may eat and drink at My table in My kingdom, and you will sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.” Luke 22:28-29 NASB

Need another example? David was a murderer and an adulterer, but he was also called a man after God’s own heart. Clearly, God does not look at us the way humans look at one another. No, He does not overlook sin, but He is waiting to forgive you if you have failed, and He is ready to see you through the lens of forgiveness the moment you run to Him. God delights in His children because we are His, not based on our performance.

3. Don’t assume God doesn’t care.

Have you ever tried to find out someone’s favorite color, dessert, or restaurant? I am sure you have, and you did it for the same reason I have. Paying attention to the details shows that you care. God not only cares about the BIG things, but He also loves you enough to care about the little things, too. No one has perfect parents, but if you take any healthy parent, they not only want to make sure their child is fed, but also want to put a smile on their child’s face. Never once have I thought that making sure Mark and Annika had a roof over their head and food in their bellies was sufficient. I want them to experience my love, hear my love, and feel treasured.

“So if you, despite being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!” Matthew 7:11

God is not an ATM machine, but He deeply cares for you as His son or daughter. I encourage you to drop your false assumptions and run towards the only One who knows what is best, wants what is best, and can give you what is best.