Judges 14:17

“And she wept before him the seven days, while their feast lasted: and it came to pass on the seventh day, that he told her, because she lay sore upon him: and she told the riddle to the children of her people “

Maya Angelou gave us a very important life lesson, “When someone shows you who they are, believe them the first time. ”

I believe she took this very sound advice from the Bible. Looking at the story of Samson, it is an example of this very thing.

We all know that Samson’s life unfolded as it did because God’s will needed to be done to deliver Israel from the Philistines. However, there is also important information we can use to govern our daily lives.

One such lesson is interpersonal relationship dynamics.

In Judges, it tells the story of the woman that Samson wanted for his wife. We see that Samson saw her and asked his parents to get her for his wife. We see everything from Samson’s point of view. We do not know if the woman cared for or even wanted Samson as her husband. All we know is that Samson’s parents got her for him.

When Samson put forth a riddle to the children of Philistine, the wife is the one they came to for assistance when they could not figure it out.

She showed Samson just who she was. She got his secret from him, then shared it with her people.

When Samson saw Delilah, his experience was the same.

We all have had situations where we were hurt, wounded, or betrayed by people who were close to us. Instead of learning from this lesson, we continually open ourselves for repeat behaviors.

That is not to say that we should close ourselves off from people and never be willing to trust again. In fact, it is just the opposite. We need people, just as people need us. Any relationship requires us to be open, honest, and show a certain level of vulnerability.

However, life experience should teach us lessons. Lessons that provide knowledge that we can apply to future interpersonal relationships.

After being stung by a bee before, the next time I see a bee flying in my direction I know to keep out of its way. This does not mean that I hate bees. It does mean that I have had an encounter with one before, and walked away from that encounter with some important information. Now, whenever I encounter another bee I put that learned information into practice.

We should learn from the past, and use that knowledge to govern our present. When you encounter another such person, guard yourself WITHOUT casting the new person in the same role as the other. Just recognize the behavior that seems the same (or similar), and prepare yourself.

Matthew 10:16, tells us “Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves. Be ye therefore wise as serpents and harmless as doves.”

Even though the waters are treacherous, we are still out in them to be fishers of men. Love is the key! Everything we do should be motivated by love. It is impossible to show love without opening ourselves up to people. With this comes the possibility of being hurt. However, if you use the lessons you have learned correctly, you will be willing to put yourself out there, AND protect yourself (to a certain degree) as well.

Do not let anything (big or small) keep you from doing what God has called you to. Learn your lesson, apply it to your life, and keep it moving!