‘There is a time…to give up…to be silent…’ Ecclesiastes 3:1-7 NIV
With the best intentions we rush in where angels fear to tread, instead of recognising when to back off. The bible says there is ‘…a time to heal…to give up…to be silent…’ A time to stop forcing the issue and let God do His work, otherwise you end up creating scars that take years to heal.
As painful as it is, letting go of people and situations you cannot control can be the wisest course of action. For example, all the coercion and coaxing in the world will not change a floundering relationship unless both parties want it to work. And parent, the Bible says, ‘…Don’t make your children angry by the way you treat them…’ (Ephesians 6:4 NTL). Learn to choose your battles. Being inflexible about every little issue makes our children angry and rebellious. The same principle applies when you have hurt somebody’s feelings. Apologise, then back off and give them time to come to terms with what has happened.
Ever dealt with a salesperson who tried to sell you something you were not really sold on? The harder they pushed the more you dug your heels in, right? If they’d just backed off the story could have been different. Now, think about the people you love. Are you being pushy and impatient with them? Are you using intimidation to get what you want? Letting go does not mean you stop caring. On the contrary, knowing when to take a ‘hands off’ approach and give God time to work on the situation is a real mark of maturity.
Excerpt from THE WORD FOR TODAY, UCB (United Christian Broadcasters), PO Box 255, Stoke-On-Trent, ST4 8YY, England. Free issues of the daily devotional are available for the UK and Republic of Ireland.
