My heart breaks for people in need. But it also breaks when I feel used.

Yesterday during rehearsals, someone came looking for me.
I saw him sitting quietly at the back of the church—patient, almost timid.

After the session, he walked up to me and shared his story:
He’d just been released from prison. He had nowhere to go and needed help getting back to Rivers State.
He said his mother—his only surviving parent—was unreachable.

In that moment, my heart softened. I wanted to help. I always want to help.

But after he left… doubt crept in.
What if it was all a lie? What if I’d just been played?

It hurts to think that someone could take advantage of compassion.
But it hurts even more to think I might turn away the next person who truly needs help… just because I’ve been burned before.

I’m struggling with this.

How do you tell the difference?

How do you keep your heart open without being taken for granted?

If you’ve ever faced this kind of moment, I’d really love to hear how you handled it.