Be Cautious About Making Wrong Assumptions

The assumptions we make are critical. For instance, they have the potential of landing us in trouble if we assume incorrectly. Here’s an example.

I fly to a lot of different destinations using various airlines. Each airline has rules to follow. British Airways allows missionary fares to check three 50-pound bags. If I buy tickets to fly on a different airline and pack my suitcases assuming they offer the same deal as BA, I’ll either have to pay an extra fee at the airport or leave my third suitcase behind.

If I speak with a woman whose first language is not English and see her nod her head, I assume she understands what I said. That could be a wrong assumption on my part. (I know this from experience – I nodded my head a lot when we first moved to Nepal!)

If I leave a voice mail for someone, I assume she received it. When she doesn’t acknowledge my call, I might assume she doesn’t want to respond to my offer or she doesn’t care. That might be a wrong assumption….after all, maybe someone in her family accidentally deleted the message and forgot to tell her about it, or perhaps she was away from home for a few days.

Wrong versus right assumptions

Assuming the worst about a possible scenario often means we waste a lot of time and energy entertaining negative thoughts and what-ifs. But assuming correctly is a whole ‘nother story.

Take a look at Abraham’s example:

Hebrews 11:17-19 says, ¹⁷It was by faith that Abraham offered Isaac as a sacrifice when God was testing him. Abraham, who had received God’s promises, was ready to sacrifice his only son, Isaac, ¹⁸though God had promised him ‘Isaac is the son through whom your descendants will be counted.’ ¹⁹Abraham assumed that if Isaac died, God was able to bring him back to life again…

Abraham’s assumption led to a good outcome

Abraham was being asked to do something that defied human comprehension. Sacrificing his son made no sense whatsoever. He could have assumed that God had flipped out and thus refused to obey Him. Instead, he assumed that God was in control and would take responsibility for the outcome. That assumption gave him the courage to trust and obey God. Sure enough, God came through.

When we’re walking in fellowship with God, we can assume He’s in control of every detail of our lives. We need not fear because He is sovereign. We need not be anxious because He is all-powerful and all-wise. We need only to remember His promises and assume that He’ll be faithful to keep them because He cannot lie.

Assuming God is able to do the impossible is life-changing. Imagine the impact around the world if every believer correctly assumed this truth and acted upon it!