You're Gonna Carry that Weight a Long Time

SansClyde:

I must admit, this is the hardest post I have written. First and foremost, let me say that I can't tell you what God wants in your life. God hasn't yet told me everything I'm supposed to do, so I can hardly expect him to tell me what you're supposed to do. That being said, there are two principles that I think you need to consider as you decide how close of a relationship to maintain with any individual, or group of people.

First, I would like to point you to the example of Jesus. He was a man, and He got tired, both emotionally and physically. He sought spiritual renewal through prayer and meditation. But some of the miracles we know and love the most occurred when he was trying to withdraw from the people. Somehow, Christ balanced His need for renewal and refreshment and still met the needs of those around him. He withdrew from the crowds, and the pressure, but for limited periods of time, because they were his ministry.

The other example s someone I’ve been studying lately: Jeremiah. The Weeping Prophet was called to a pretty rough life. He was contradicted, threatened, beaten and put in stocks, thrown in prison, he was forbidden by God to marry, (I'm not sure if that is better or worse than what Hosea went through) and he was specifically told by God to make a bad real estate investment. He complained. God never gave him relief. We don't have any indication that he ever got reprise, nor any indication he gave up the fight. He was a man of God.

What does this mean to me? Or, Sans, what does it mean to you? While I can't say for certain what God's will is in your life, I can say that God hasn't made too many promises about our comfort level in this life. And we don't want to hear most of the ones he has made. He promised that we would be persecuted; He promised that it would be good for us. I hate saying that. I know it's true, intellectually, but I hate suffering. For the believer, it truly is a hard knock life.

When it comes down to the people the cause our suffering, I don't know that we ever have permission to lock them out. Perhaps limit our interaction, choose our battles, and protect ourselves from the pain a little, but to withdraw completely is to leave them without hope, and before God, that is not a choice I would relish.

So, can you withdraw? I would say a little, maybe, for your sanity. But the pain it causes you is not a reason in and of itself. It’s a question of when support & being there turns into enabling. I don’t know where the line, I can only pray that God lights the way for you, and hope I do not lead you astray.