Have you ever found yourself pleading with someone to do something for their own good? Maybe it’s about taking school seriously or finding a better paying job or losing the unhealthy weight; any number of things that are your very best intention but fall on deaf ears.
It doesn’t really matter how much you want something for someone; unless or until they want it for themselves, you’re going to be one very frustrated person while waiting. That is, until you just give it to God to work out.
I had a friend with a pretty serious alcohol addiction. Anytime someone would be audacious enough to lovingly confront her, she would panic. Then drink.
Another person I know was involved in a destructive relationship with her husband. Despite years of infidelity and countless unkept promises, she fought the losing battle. Then, one day, she had had enough.
Sometimes, what we want for people is eventually going to happen. Sometimes, it isn’t.
Sometimes, the addicted will remain forever chained and bound while their loved ones suffer right along with them and the lost will continue to wander around looking for purpose. You can lead a horse to water, but….well, you know the rest. 
Though I’m not even remotely suggesting we abandon our hopes and dreams for others, I’ve lived long enough to realize that at the end of the day, the decisions and choices are theirs. And theirs alone.
We are always called to live by Romans 15:7 (accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you) but I think it’s important to remember that God doesn’t necessarily expect us to sit in the middle of it, either. Sometimes, letting go might mean walking away but oftentimes letting go simply means we stop trying to make it all happen and just be a friend. Letting go might mean we love that person right where they’re at while we let God lead us down our own path.
Let go and let God.
Be blessed!
Amy
Love it!
I have to remind myself about 20 times a day…every day….! 🙂
This is so my heart…as usual you speak it so well.
For years I struggled, thinking that I HAD TO SAVE others from their problems but clearly not having the tools myself to do it in my own life. Kind of like a “do as I say, not as I do” attitude. That does not change others. Finally, God has put in on MY heart that if I walked the HIGHWAY of Holiness, re : (Isaiah 35:8) EVERYDAY and be an example of Christ in my words and actions, to spread the word of God, other’s my be touched by the truth but ONLY GOD can change another’s heart, only if that person asks God.I do not have that authority. It’s their choice to accept their truths, we can make anyone do that, only our own truths. But until then in only God’s will can 2 people be in union with God and live in HIS healing GRACE.
So yes! LET GO AND LET GOD!
It’s not the easy way for us as humans but it IS the only GODLY way we must live if we claim ourselves as TRUE followers of CHRIST!
Be Blessed, Not Stressed!
opps, darn typos….corrections:
“that if I WALK the Highway of Holiness…”
“we can NOT make anyone do that….”
🙂
You’re absolutely right, Deb! What a lesson to learn but I think I’ve FINALLY got it! It is actually very freeing to just stop being frustrated…we might still be sad about situations but at least we’re not controlling what isn’t ours.
A lesson I am still trying to learn….let go and let God. As always thanks for sharing how many of us feel and don’t know how to put into words. Love and hugs to you! Proverbs 3:4-6 is one of my favorite go to verses. :o)