Stop Tryin' to Change the Ppl You Love

 

 

 

God is at work within you, helping you want to obey Him, and then helping you do what He wants. Philippians 2:13

Stop trying to change the people you love and change yourself. Stop trying to change people who would take your money but won't take your advice. You will only drain your own mental, spiritual, emotional and financial reserves.

 

The truth is ... people change when they are sick and tired of being sick and tired or hit rock bottom. If you're dealing with addiction or irresponsible behavior from grown adults ... protect your wallet and your mind. It doesn't mean you don't love them. Your attempts to help may only delay what is inevitable.

 

Allow them to take the journey they have chosen for themselves. Pray for them, fervently. Choose to let go of the guilt and be at peace. You may require counseling or emotional support to stop being an enabler. If necessary, give yourself some distance so that you can stop being used or manipulated because they know that you care and you love them.

 

You have the right to enjoy a guilt-free, happy and productive life. Commit yourself to changing the only person you really can - YOU.

 

Father, bring our loved ones to the saving knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ. Deliver them from anything (or anyone) that has them bound. You're the One that does the work, in cooperation with the person. Not us. Show us our part and help us to not get in Your way as You do Your part. Mend our relationships with them. Love on them. In Jesus' name, amen.

 

 

 

 see also:  Believing for a Loved One  and  Hands Off



 

Be at Peace, My Child

God did not give us a spirit of fear or timidity, but a spirit of power, and of love, and of sound mind and self-discipline. 2 Timothy 1:7

 

There is no question that there is pain and intense suffering in this world. Some of it is explained by selfish, hateful actions on the part of others. Some of it defies an explanation in this life. But God offers us Himself. God gives us the knowledge that He has endured also, and is aware of our pain and needs. Jesus said to His disciples, ‘Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid’ (John 14:27). There is ample reason to be afraid, troubled, but God can give us His peace, which is greater than the problem before us. He is after all, God, the Creator. The One who has always existed. The One who created a universe with a spoken word.

 

Yet even in His power, He's also the One who knows us intimately, even the smallest, insignificant details. And if we will trust Him with our lives, relying on Him, though we encounter difficulties, He will hold us securely. Jesus said, ‘These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, trials and distresses, but take courage; I have overcome the world and deprived it of its power to harm you. So stopping letting yourself get agitated and disturbed’ (John 16:33). He went through our ultimate threat -- death -- and overcame it. He can take us through the difficult circumstances of this life, and then bring us into eternal life, if we will trust Him.

 

We can either go through this life with God or without Him. IN HIM, we can be at peace.

 

Father, thank You for Your promise of peace as we turn to You. We ask You to help us keep our minds stayed on You and as we do, trusting in You, I pray that You bless us with Your presence and Your perfect peace. We wait upon You now to receive it by faith. Thank You, Lord. In Jesus' name, amen.
 

 see also: Christ is My Victory (Psalm 91 to pray)