Seeing Beyond the "True" to the Truth
"True" and Truth are not the same. What's "true" is the surface, the immediate, the tangible. Truth is deeper, eternal, and unshakable. What's "true" can change, but the truth never does.
Life can be brutal. Pain, loss, betrayal, hardship—they're real. They hit hard, leave scars, and can break even the strongest among us. It's easy to get caught in what's happening, to see only the harsh realities of now or the wounds of the past. No one is asking you to deny what's "true." The suffering you've endured, the injustice, the broken dreams are real. But there's something deeper than what's "true." There's the truth.
"True" vs. Truth
Let's get something straight: "True" and Truth are not the same. What's "true" is the surface, the immediate, the tangible. Truth is deeper, eternal, and unshakable. What's "true" can change, but the truth never does.
Absalom's army was indeed poised to attack King David. His own son had turned against him, and death seemed certain. But the truth? The truth was that the Lord was still David's Shepherd. The same God who had delivered him from lions, bears, and giants hadn't left. David saw beyond the immediate danger, beyond the betrayal, to the truth that God was still in control. He wasn't blind to the threat. He just knew that what's "true" isn't all there is.
It's "true" his own brothers sold Joseph, betrayed, falsely accused, and left him to rot in prison. Thirteen years of suffering could have left him bitter, broken, and done. But Joseph didn't stop at what was "true." He saw the truth: God was with him, even in the pit and the prison. Joseph told his brothers later, "You meant it for evil, but God meant it for good." That's not denial. That's seeing beyond.
Don't Deny Reality—See Beyond It
Nobody's asking you to pretend. This isn't about faking it or shutting your eyes to pain. Bad things happen. People fail you. Life turns upside down. It's "true." But if you stop there, you'll miss everything God is doing beneath the surface.
God never promised a life free of trouble. He promised His presence in it. The truth is not that everything's fine. The truth is that God is working, even in the mess.
we know that all things work together for good to them that love God Romans 8:28
Not in some things. All things. The "true" is that bad things happen. The truth is that God uses them.
The Anchor or the Wind?
You've got a choice. You can stay stuck in the past, anchored to the pain, bitterness, and regret. Or you can let go and move forward into what God has for you. Pull up that anchor. You're not meant to stay in the storm. God can make something out of the wreckage. But you have to be willing to see beyond.
Yes, you experienced abuse. Sure, someone abandoned you. Yes, you're struggling financially. These are "true." But they don't define you. Who you are in Christ does. He calls you loved. God calls you His. He calls you redeemed. That's the truth.
Your past doesn't have to hold you. Your present doesn't have to trap you. God isn't done.
Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ. Philippians 1:6
He's not leaving you halfway. God is not done shaping you, using you, loving you. Don't stop at what's "true." Press on to the truth.
God's Perspective Changes Everything
David didn't run from the reality of his situation. But he wrote
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for Thou art with me. Psalm 23:4
He saw the danger, but he also saw the Shepherd.
Joseph didn't forget what his brothers did. But he saw God's hand through it all. He rose from slave to ruler because he didn't let the "true" blind him to the truth.
You can see the valley or the Shepherd, the pit or the purpose.
Faith Isn't Blind—It Sees Beyond
Faith doesn't ignore reality; it sees beyond it. It sees the deeper reality of God's presence, His power, His promises. Faith is what lets you walk through the fire and believe you won't be burned. Not because the fire isn't real, but because your God is bigger.
God never wastes pain. He never abandons His people. What's meant for harm, He turns for good. But you have to trust that the story isn't over.
Refuse to Settle for Less
Don't settle for what's "true." Don't stay stuck in the facts when the truth is still unfolding. God's truth is bigger than your circumstance, stronger than your pain, deeper than your fear.
You are not what happened to you. You are not the mistake, the failure, the victim. God's declaration determines who you are. Loved. Called. Chosen. Held.
Let go of the bitterness. Release your fear. Let go of the false belief that your life is defined by what's been done to you. It's not.
Hope Beyond Hurt
It's not naive to have hope. Hope sees the brokenness but believes in healing. Hope looks at death and believes in resurrection. Looking at the cross, hope sees an empty tomb.
This isn't about ignoring your pain. It's about refusing to be ruled by it. It's about lifting your eyes higher, seeing beyond what's "true" to the truth of who God is and what He's doing.
God's Love is the Truth
The deepest truth? God loves you. He never leaves you. That's the foundation. That's what doesn't change.
When everything falls apart, when people betray you, when dreams die—His love stands.
You may not see the full picture yet. But you can trust the Artist. He's still painting. The brush hasn't stopped moving.
Seeing Beyond
To see beyond the "true" to the truth is to walk by faith, not by sight. It's to hold onto God's promises when everything around you says otherwise. It's to believe in the light even when you're in the dark.
It's easy to stay stuck, to cling to what's familiar even if it's painful. But God is calling you to more. He's calling you to see beyond.
So lift your eyes. See beyond the betrayal to the blessing. Look beyond the loss, and you will find the gain. See beyond the sorrow to the joy. See beyond the "true" to the truth.
Because the truth is, God's not finished with you.
And that changes everything.
See Beyond the True
Life can be brutal, the nights can be long,
Pain writes its verses in sorrowful song.
The weight of the world, the wounds that we bear,
They whisper of hopelessness, grief, and despair.
It’s true—there is heartache, betrayal, and loss,
True that we carry each burden and cross.
True are the trials that break us apart,
True are the fears that invade every heart.
But pause for a moment, lift up your eyes,
There’s more than the shadows, more than the lies.
For truth runs deeper than what we can see,
Truth holds the power to set captives free.
True was the army that hunted down David,
True was the danger, the threat that he dreaded.
Yet truth was the Shepherd who stayed by his side,
The One who would comfort, protect, and provide.
True was the prison where Joseph was thrown,
True were the years he was left there alone.
Yet truth was the purpose that God had in store,
To lift him from chains to a throne evermore.
You’re not asked to fake it, or cover your eyes,
To act like the hurting is nothing but lies.
But don’t let the “true” steal the light from your soul,
The truth is that God’s love is making you whole.
The storms may be raging, the night may be black,
But truth is the promise He’s got your back.
He’s working all things, both bitter and sweet,
To shape you in ways that one day you’ll meet.
You can anchor in pain, or you can let go,
You can cling to the past or let mercy flow.
You are not broken beyond repair,
God calls you His child, His love’s always there.
Yes, you were wounded, yes, you were scarred,
Yes, life has hit you brutally hard.
But truth says you’re chosen, redeemed by His grace,
Held in His arms, in His loving embrace.
True is the battle, but truth is the win,
True is the struggle, but truth is within.
True is the valley, the darkness, the test,
Truth is the Shepherd who gives you His rest.
You can see just the pit, or believe there’s a plan,
See only the trial, or the work of His hand.
Faith isn’t blindness—it’s seeing anew,
Beyond all the chaos to what’s always true.
God isn’t done, He’s not walking away,
He’s crafting your story, come what may.
The truth is He’s with you, through thick and through thin,
And His love’s the reason you’ll rise up again.
Don’t settle for “true” when truth is alive,
The Spirit of God helps your soul to survive.
Hope’s not delusion, it’s daring to trust,
That ashes can bloom, and beauty’s a must.
Look past the now to the not-yet-seen,
Past every sorrow to what might have been.
Then further still, to what God has begun—
A work in your life that won’t be undone.
So open your heart, let truth be your guide,
Let go of the fears, the shame, and the pride.
Lift up your eyes, see the cross and the crown,
For truth says you’re loved and won’t be cast down.
True is the struggle, but truth is the grace,
True is the hurt, but truth is His face.
True is the waiting, but truth is the way,
True is the night, but truth brings the day.
God’s love is the truth, it cannot be moved,
It holds through the fire, forever proved.
So don’t just survive, but rise and believe,
See beyond “true” and all you’ll receive.
You are not finished, your story’s not through,
Because truth is, dear child, He’s still writing you.