Fearlessly CourageousDesk of Dennis Piller12/15/2022Click for Audio
Let go of people who aren't ready to love you.
I was praying about what to write about and read this article, non-Christian based, about letting go of the wrong kind of people in your life.
“This is the hardest thing you will ever have to do in your life and it will also be the most important thing.Stop having difficult conversations with people who don’t want to change. Stop showing up for people who have no interest in your presence.
I know your instinct is to do everything you can to gain the appreciation of those around you, but it's an impulse that steals your time, energy, mental and physical health. When you start fighting for a life with joy, interest, and commitment, not everyone will be ready to follow you to that place.That doesn't mean you have to change who you are; it means you have to let go of people who aren't ready to be with you.If you are excluded, insulted, forgotten, or ignored by the people you give your time to, you are not doing yourself a favor by continuing to offer them your energy and your life.
The Truth is, you're not for everyone and not everyone is for you.”
I started to study what scripture says about toxic people whether they be family or not. I agree there is a difference, but at the same time, they are very similar.
So let's take a closer look at the word!
Just about everyone I know is currently dealing with a family member who, by all definitions, is toxic. You probably have one too. This is a person who treats you poorly, or worse, treats your kids poorly.
How did Jesus handle these people?
Gary Thomas said; “Since Jesus came from heaven to walk among us, Christians tend to think that walking away from anyone, or letting anyone walk away from the truth, is a failure on our part. But Jesus walked away or let others walk away … a lot.In reviewing the four gospels there are two dozen distinct times when Jesus demonstrated walking away or letting someone else walk away.These occurrences weren’t always rooted in conflict. Sometimes Jesus walked away from others who wanted more of Him. On still other occasions, He retreated for His own refreshment and renewal or protection. The point is that Jesus didn’t let the needs, pleas, attacks, or unresponsiveness of others distract Him from the mission given to Him by his heavenly Father.
And neither can you.
One thing we don’t see when others walk away is Jesus giving chase. As powerful as Jesus was, as brilliant as Jesus was, as pure as Jesus was, and as surrendered to God as Jesus was, not everyone he interacted with “changed,” repented or agreed with Him.
Here’s the principle that comes from that: Sometimes to follow in the footsteps of Jesus is to walk away from othersor to let them walk away from us.
Take, for instance, the story of the rich young ruler. Matt 19:16 Jesus discerned this young man’s heart and the core issue in his life—he loved money. When the earnest young man couldn’t walk away from his money, he chose to walk away from Jesus.
Notice that our Lord didn’t run after him. Jesus didn’t say, “Wait! I know asking you to give 100% is a bit extreme; if you give away just 50%, I think we can make this work. I need followers! Let’s bargain!”
“Toxic” doesn’t seem to fit this young man’s profile, but the principle is clear: when truth is rejected, spend your time on those who will receive it instead of begging closed-hearted people to reconsider.On another occasion, after giving a difficult teaching about eating his flesh and drinking his blood, Jesus lost a lot of previously enthusiastic followers: “From this time many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him. ‘You do not want to leave too, do you?’ Jesus asked the Twelve” (John 6:66–67).
Notice the same pattern. Not just one, but many walked away. And not just casual onlookers; they’re called his “disciples.” Instead of chasing them down and begging them not to misunderstand him and to please come back, Jesus turns to the Twelve, and says, “So, what about you?”
Notice the confidence that gives authority to his message. Jesus never appears desperate, manipulative, or controlling, as if when people didn’t agree with Him, His feelings would be hurt.
He is mission-focused and others-centered to his deepest core.
Jesus also demonstrates the need to sometimes “verbally” walk away when dealing with a toxic person, like Herod. Instead of arguing with Herod and trying to justify himself, Jesus remained silent: “[Herod] plied him with many questions, but Jesus gave him no answer” (Luke 23:9).Jesus adopted the same approach with Pilate and the religious leaders: “When he was accused by the chief priests and the elders, he gave no answer. Then Pilate asked him, ‘Don’t you hear the testimony they are bringing against you?’ But Jesus made no reply, not even to a single charge—to the great amazement of the governor” (Matthew 27:12–14).
We don’t have to argue. When a toxic person is attacking you, you don’t have to participate. Especially when you know it won’t make any difference, spend those few moments worshiping and relating to your loving heavenly Father rather than contending with a hateful assault.
“It is better to live alone than with an unruly and quarrelsome spouse.” ( 1 Timothy 5:11) In the Bible, when any person continually persuades you to disobey God, it is a sign for you to let go of that relationship. Do not be misled: Bad Company corrupts good character. 1 Corinthians 15:33 (NIV)
Tomorrow let's take a deeper look at creating boundaries for toxic people in our lives or simply walking away.
What Mercy Did For Me[feat. Crystal Yates Micah Tyler Joshua Sherman]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-GRU5K3UFmE&list=PLCd-wh1hNZpQRQZ73gnTCeUYflnkLMF_S&index=6
By Gary Thomas from Lifeway ResearchWhen Is It OK to Walk Away From Toxic People in Ministry?
