You know what’s frustrating? People.

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My wife and I have helped some individuals three times recently. Each time, we provided them with a home, transportation, communication tools (cell phones, laptops, etc.), and money. Most recently, we went even further — offering knowledge and resources to help them improve their situation, including getting one of them enrolled in a high school program to earn a diploma.

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But when they turned on each other — and eventually on us — everything fell apart quickly. We had to ask them to leave our home, and the aftermath was rough. The car we’d lent them was repossessed after being used to store marijuana and open containers of alcohol (even though one of them was underage). They also kept a cell phone I’ll never see again but still have to pay for. Those material losses don’t bother me as much as the emotional ones.

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What really hurts is how my wife was treated. She bent over backwards for them — sacrificed so much, gave her time, energy, and heart — only to be disrespected, insulted, and called names. Watching her kindness met with cruelty was devastating.

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I’m struggling with how to reconcile this. How am I supposed to continue helping others, showing God’s love, and offering support, when it feels like it only leads to pain and betrayal? This experience has left a bitter taste in my mouth. Right now, I don’t want to help anyone ever again. I want to say, “Figure it out yourself.”

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It’s sad to admit that’s where I am. Maybe with time — through therapy, new experiences, and the unwavering support of my incredible wife — I’ll find a way to heal and trust again. But for now, it’s still too raw.

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Part of me even hopes they face the consequences of their choices — and when life inevitably knocks them down again, I know they’ll come back seeking help. And I honestly don’t know how I’ll respond when that day comes.