A View from a Pew: The Rattle was the Warning

I told an old man once that I was angry.

Not just disappointed—angry. Hurt. Betrayed. Somebody I called “friend” had done me dirty. You know the type—laughs with you in the daylight, but poisons your name in the dark. Someone I had helped. Supported. Prayed for. Covered. And when my back was turned, they showed me who they really were.

He listened quietly. No judgment. Then leaned in and said something I’ll never forget:

“A snake is not a bad person… it’s just a snake. You got bit because you were treating it like a pet.”

And just like that, the wind left my chest.

I sat with that. Because I realized my anger wasn’t really at them. It was at me. I was mad that I had ignored the signs—mad at myself for seeing the red flags and calling them decorations. For hearing the rattle and convincing myself it was just background noise.

You ever been there?

Ever silenced your spirit just to keep someone in your circle? Ever lowered your standards just to avoid being alone? Ever overlooked betrayal because loyalty meant more to you than it did to them?

Let me tell you something: snakes don’t betray—they behave. That’s their nature. The betrayal is not in the bite. The betrayal was in your expectation.

I treated that snake like a brother. Invited them into sacred spaces. Gave them access to my peace, my plans, my prayers. And when they turned, I acted shocked—like the snake hadn’t rattled all along.

But here’s what I’ve come to learn…Betrayal is expensive, but it’s one of the most effective teachers you’ll ever have. And class is always in session.

God doesn’t always remove the snake—sometimes He lets it strike. Not to punish you, but to teach you. Teach you how to trust the Holy Spirit in you. Teach you to stop giving people credit for being “potential” when their pattern tells you otherwise. Teach you that love is not blindness. And forgiveness is not foolishness.

See, Jesus knew Judas was a snake. Knew he was going to betray Him. But Jesus still let him sit at the table. Why? Because even snakes serve a purpose. Judas pushed Jesus closer to His destiny. And your Judas might just be doing the same.

Let that sink in.

That betrayal? That heartbreak? That blindsiding moment you thought would take you out? It was painful, yes. But it also positioned you. Elevated you. Refined you. Taught you discernment. Gave you a backbone. And if it didn't kill you—it taught you how to live wiser.

Now, don’t get me wrong—I'm not telling you to harden your heart. But I am telling you to guard it. Guard it with wisdom. With prayer. With boundaries. Learn to release people without bitterness. To bless them and still block them.

And remember this: every “loss” is not a defeat. Sometimes, it's divine protection disguised as disappointment.

You didn’t lose a friend—you lost a threat. You didn’t lose love—you lost manipulation.
You didn’t lose support—you lost sabotage.

So next time you hear the rattle—don’t ignore it. Don’t pet it. Don’t dress it up. Don’t give it a second chance to strike. Just walk away. Head high. Lesson learned.

Because now you know: a snake is a snake is a snake. And you? You're no zookeeper. You're a child of God, walking in purpose, surrounded by grace, and too anointed to keep dancing with danger.