“It is a sin for the person who knows to do what is good and doesn’t do it.”- James 4:17
“God sometimes removes a person from your life for your protection. Don’t run after them.”- attributed to Rick Warren
Sara Horn concludes Chapter 6 of How Can I Possibly Forgive? with strong encouragement for us to forgive, explicitly stating that when we refuse to forgive, we are the ones who are offending. We deem ourselves more important than others- or even more important than God!
Conflicts are inevitable. The key is our response. Sara cites the story of Isaac in Genesis 26. Isaac’s neighbors resented his success and went out of their way to make his life difficult. Isaac was forced to move his herds and livestock three times because of quarrels that erupted with local herdsman whenever Isaac attempted to settle down in one area.
The first two wells Isaac dug he named Quarrel and Hostility, respectively. Finally, at the last spot, Isaac named the well Open Spaces because God had “made room” for them (Genesis 26:22). Similarly, rather than hunkering down and stubbornly asserting our rights following our vocation loss, we need to just move on. God may be removing us from our place of conflict, negativity, and hurt for our protection. Don’t run after them!
Today’s question: What is hindering you from moving on following your ministry downsizing or vocation loss? Please share.
Tomorrow’s blog: “Conviction or condemnation”
