Too Good To NOT Be True

This morning I am thinking about a particular tidbit of conventional wisdom I’ve heard and repeated so many times that I’ve taken it for granted, never questioning or giving it critical consideration.  It is the idea of something being too good to be true.  I am wondering when and how I bought into the twisted notion that goodness and truth must somehow be mutually exclusive.  I’m intrigued as I contemplate how, when, and why I came to internalize the assumption that if something is really good, then it must not be true.  (Or, I guess, conversely if it’s true, then it must not be good.)  I find myself confronted here with a deeper, more compelling question though.  Have I inadvertently convinced myself that if something is really good, then maybe I’m not good enough to have it?  Do I subconsciously fear that I am unworthy of that which is extraordinary and wonderful?  As I expose my heart to the scrutiny of this interrogation, I am being made aware of an underlying, subtle deception within.  It camouflages itself in the commonsensical.  It speaks to my logical mind, putting forth a strong case based on facts and evidence that are, ironically, produced by deception itself.  Certainly, I have experienced relationships and other endeavors that initially seemed so positive and full of promise, but later turned out to be not so great.  And I would say to myself, “I should have known it was too good to be true.”  In retrospect, I wish I had been able to discern that the issue wasn’t really a matter of something being too good to be true.  In reality, I sometimes just latched onto things that weren’t truly good…at least not for me.  I can see how, over time, I allowed deception to sweet talk me with its bitterness:  “Be reasonable.  You’re nobody’s fool.  You are a smart woman.  This can’t really be what it seems.  It’s too simple.  It’s too soon.  It’s too much.  It’s too perfect.”  The more I entertained its arguments, the more deception wrapped itself around my mind like a blindfold.  And it spoke to my vulnerabilities and fears, saying, “Don’t trust it.  It’s too risky.  Play it safe.  Don’t move.”  I can’t imagine how many gifts I’ve forfeited or how many open doors I’ve walked past, having my mind veiled by a cloak of unbelief.   But I am so grateful today for understanding and enlightenment!  God is good AND God is truth.  There is no schism.  There is no either-or.  And, so it is with the gifts He delights to give me as His child.  They are good AND they are true.  Each day I pray for the wisdom and grace to perceive, embrace, and enjoy all the amazing and beautiful things God wants me to know, be, do, and have.  So, I resolve to give thanks for His love and favor toward me.  I will keep my eyes and heart open for the love, friendships, opportunities, adventures, new beginnings, second chances and countless other blessings from His hand that are too good to NOT be true.