The most important point is this: Always make a stand for what is right. You should never, ever compromise what you believe for anyone, just because they decide you should. When it has all been said and done, we will all stand before God and account for ourselves.
At that time, He is not going to ask you what ‘so and so’ did to push/control/manipulate you into doing what you did, that you knew was wrong, at the time it was happening.
He is going to ask you, what you did, to react/respond. Did you choose to just say no, set firm boundaries, and let go, or did you simply make a choice to go along just to keep the peace? Nearly all of the time, attaining, and holding onto your inner peace involves fighting to the death for what you know is right, and fighting even harder for what you believe in.
Even if the people around you decide they don’t like what you stand for, and choose to abandon you, stand anyway because it’s the right thing to do. Believe me, it’s worth it. Standing strong isn’t for the weak of heart. It takes the strength of God to continue standing after all is “lost.” Or seems to be.
As human beings, we want so badly to “belong,” and we are so afraid that we will not be liked, or even loved. Until we learn better, we will make the mistake of allowing our friends and our relationships to define and validate us, when we do not need this kind of definition and validation.
Because of these inherent qualities, that we need to learn to overcome, within ourselves, we’re often so busy holding on to what we think we need, we can’t seem to let go of what’s truly bad for us. We have a hard time embracing what God has in store within an uncertain future.
Sometimes, God says, “No, I don’t want you in this kind of situation. It’s not good for you.” He will then orchestrate circumstances that will result in us being “led” out of something He knows is bad for us.
Revelations 3:7-8 KJV says:
7And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth;
8I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name.
In my own experience, I have seen God’s Work as He would shut doors that no Man could open, and conversely, He would open doors that no Man could shut. At the time of either experiencing an open or shut door, God would ask me to simply have faith, to trust Him, that everything would work out as it was meant to. The reason behind God’s Work would always be revealed at a later time.
God has the whole picture at all times, whereas we only have a small part of the picture, sometimes. We may not understand exactly why He is allowing a situation to turn another direction at that time, but we will understand later because everything happens for a reason, and it, more often as not, leads into a perceived loss of some kind.
You might think that the supposed loss is going to tear you in two at the time it happens, but God really does see everything that goes on. Because God knows the end from the beginning, He will take your part when His Time is right and correct.
His mighty arm is never short when stretched out against people who will try to use you for their own selfish agenda. He is not kidding when He says vengeance is His, and that He will repay those who exercise treachery against you. So, learn to let go, let God deal with the situation, and enjoy your sleep at night because your conscience remains clear.
Remember that the next time someone tries to lead/guilt/control/manipulate you into walking down what you know is a wrong path. If you bow/bend to what you know is wrong, and suffer the harsh consequences that are sure to follow, you would have no one to blame but yourself.
Never say you do not have a choice. We all have choices because we serve a God who gave free will to all men as a gift. When faced with adverse times, use this same power of choice wisely for your own reconstruction, rather than for your later destruction.
Stand up for yourself, believe in, and have faith in yourself. Learn that true and loving relationships should NEVER require you to sacrifice your self-respect, morals, and scruples on the line just to please that other person/those other people.
When it comes down to it, when you make a solid stand for yourself, and just say no, you are the winner. It might not seem like it at the time, but later, you will see, as hindsight is the greatest of all teachers.
(((HUGS)))
HB
