Humans are beings of relationship.

Relationship is the soil of many beautiful things in our lives.

We find support to get through tough situations in relationship.

We find value and people to articulate worth in relationship.

We build our lives on the commitment we make to each others in relationship.

Relationships have been the foundation of many blessings in our lives.

There’s so much beauty inside the context of relationship.

As we continue to build the relationships in our lives and we begin to develop dependence upon those relationships that we forge and foster we quickly realize that it takes multiple humans to navigate and manage the complexities of human existence. That as we walk through this human life, we are not equipped for every single thing that could possibly come our way. That sometimes, we need other humans to help us, to point us, towards the one who is enough.

But, relationships contain with them a reality. Relationships between humans have inside of them - humans.

Humans that are just that - human.

They are just like you and me, they experience the same scarcity as you and I, and the incomplete nature that is obvious in the life of a human.

What is so tricky about relationships with people is that they can be so helpful; they can be so meaningful; relationships can be so incredibly life giving, but they involve people.

See here’s the truth:

People will let you down.

People you respect. People you look up to. People you lean on. People who have been there for you at one point. People that have encouraged you. People who have invested in you. People will let you down.

But that doesn’t mean that they are inherently evil. It means that people are inherently human.

The human existence, if it does one thing, is it reveals that a Creator is present and active to be available to lean on and trust in to find fulfillment and flourishing in the midst of this human life.

The Scriptures remind us of these things:

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on. your own understanding; in all your ways submit to. Him, and He will make your paths straight.” - Proverbs 3:5-6

“So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them.” - Matthew 6:31-32

People will let you down. It doesn't mean that they are inherently evil. It means that people are inherently human. And the reason I know that is because I’ve let people down too.

It’s interesting how quickly we respond to our disappointment in others but can quickly make excuses for the ways that we couldn’t control letting others down.

I hate disappointing people. I hate letting down people that I know are counting on me. I hate thinking that people think I have let them down.

And being let down, disappointing people, all originates from expectation and execution. Did we fulfill the promises we made? Did we live up to the standard of living that we portrayed we wanted to live?

See, remember, people will let you down. It doesn't mean that they are inherently evil. It means that they are inherently human. So, lean on Jesus for your strength. Trust in Jesus for your wisdom. Run to Jesus with your disappointment. Then, you can find grace for those that let you down, because you need that grace from other people, too.