Let Go of Dead Weight

One thing I’ve always struggled with is learning when it’s time to let someone, or something go from my, especially if it’s bad or toxic for me to be around. I have often allowed people to come and go into my life when it suits them, and putting my own hurt aside I welcome them back, and wait for them to leave again. I am the type of person that when someone’s important to me I will attempt to move heaven and earth to help them, be there for them, do anything I could to be the best friend I could be. I think much of my problem has been the efforts I’ve put into being a great friend, trying to constantly please others; I have lost how to please myself. The vast majority of people I’ve had in my life are fake, sycophant, users, and as I’ve noticed I’m here to help people feel good. Once they feel good again they move on, and come back when they need a feel good pick me up. Very few people actually stick around because they want to, because they like my company. I’ve watched the vast majority of my so-called friends leave and most have never come back. When I’ve needed someone to lean on, or be there for me, I’ve found the choices are few, and slim.

When we are weak and downtrodden, when we feel we have lost and forgotten, remember, people are people, and we should never put our hopes, or faith in people. Hebrews 12:1 “Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,” We must not hold onto the baggage of regret, of loss or even grief. We must not hold onto those who drag us down and never lift us up. People are fickle creatures, and in an instant, or on a whim people can change their path and we can see the wreckage for miles of what’s left behind. There is hope though when we remember that God our father is always with us. He is always watching and in all things, the good and the bad, even in the worst of situations God is working to make something good come from it. In the book of Esther a man named Haman wanted to destroy the Jews and specifically kill a man named Mordecai. The right person was in the right place at the perfect God appointed time, Esther. Esther was to be a Queen and using her influence as she rose from nothing to be queen she found the plot to kill her Uncle and informed the King of Persia. Instead of Satan killing Mordecai and the Jews, the attack never came and Haman was killed, Mordecai was appointed second in command. We see this again in the death of Jesus Christ. Satan wanted Jesus dead and the war to end, but instead God raised Jesus from the grave and defeated sin once and for all.

We will all face people in our life that try to use and abuse our kindness. We will all face people who want to come and go when it suits them and hurt on their way out. While I firmly believe we should put the needs of others first, I point to ourselves as ambassadors of Christ. We must be good stewards of Gods gifts and love. If we are to give our love and attention to people, give them to people who truly need it, not those who wish to do harm with it. Philippians 2:3-4 “Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.” Give to others what you would want to receive, and when we give love to all, it matters not if that love is returned, because it’s returned from our Father in Heaven. Surround yourselves with believers, those who love and fear the Lord. 1 Corinthians 15:33“Do not be deceived: “Bad company ruins good morals.” Walk away from those who intend to do harm. Walk away from those who are unequally yoked as you. Never stop loving, and praying, and never close the door to present the gospel to those you encounter. Sometimes people do change, and no matter how many times someone walks away show them love, show them compassion, and always show them forgiveness for their transgressions. People will sin, and will make bad decisions, but we are all sinners, we all make poor choices, and we all deserve a chance to prove we’ve changed. If we are washed in the blood of Christ no longer bound to sin, no longer doomed to suffer the consequences of our actions through our sorrow of sin and our desire to repent and make amends for our actions, so shall we accept apologies, and forgive freely. No one can earn forgiveness, it’s for us to give freely. Just because we forgive doesn’t mean we must carry that weight. Just because we walk away from bad relationships, doesn’t mean we are closing a door forever. Nothing in this world is certain except God’s love for us, and our sins that have been washed by the Lamb of God.

Proverbs 13:20 “Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm.” Walk with those who are wise in the Lord. Walk with those who love themselves and others. Follow the love for your fellow man by the words in, 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 “Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.” Love comes from within and goes to all whom we come into contact with. Respect one another, and respect our differences. Do not be cruel or hurtful. When we face the pain from others yes it will make you angry, yes it will hurt, but remember, hurting people hurt others. Do not put your pain upon others in the way of hate or anger. Love all, and pray for those in need of Jesus’s love and mercy. Don’t loose hope because where there is God there is always hope.