Recently, I found myself in a bit of a
conundrum.
I have a dear friend about three hours away from my home. I was contemplating
going for a visit when I began feeling flustered. I thought about all that I
have to do as I prepare for my move and I began considering the financial
obligation of going for a visit when I know there are plenty of places I need
to go and even more things I need to do.
More
than anything, I try my best to keep my word. However, as much as I would have
loved to see my friend I wanted to consider a few things:
1. Do I really need to do this?
2. Is
thinking about this causing me stress?
3. Is
it economically feasible for me to do it?
It
was all enough to make me feel frustrated. My whole face turned red. Then,
I thought about what God had been showing me about the concept of investment
and how I had often invested in others, but had rarely, if ever, invested in
myself. I had always given every person in my life a chance except for me. So,
when it came to sacrificing for others, it had always been easier than
believing in or taking care of me. From my existence of backward bending
motions, I felt enough pain from over-investing in others that my
lesson taught me how to better love and care for myself, and, by not
devoting time and attention to myself, I was discounting the gifts and talents God placed in me to
appease and satisfy others. I was always left discouraged and I internalized
everything. I decided it wasn't wise to see my friend and instantly felt a
great rush of freedom.
More
than anything, I try my best to keep my word. However, as much as I would have
loved to see my friend I wanted to consider a few things:
1. Do I really need to do this?
1. Do I really need to do this?
2. Is
thinking about this causing me stress?
3. Is
it economically feasible for me to do it?
4.
How will I feel if the visit doesn't go well?
It
was all enough to make me feel frustrated. My whole face turned red. Then,
I thought about what God had been showing me about the concept of investment
and how I had often invested in others, but had rarely, if ever, invested in
myself. I had always given every person in my life a chance except for me. So,
when it came to sacrificing for others, it had always been easier than
believing in or taking care of me. From my existence of backward bending
motions, I felt enough pain from over-investing in others that my
lesson taught me how to better love and care for myself, and, by not
devoting time and attention to myself, I was discounting the gifts and talents God placed in me to
appease and satisfy others. I was always left discouraged and I internalized
everything. I decided it wasn't wise to see my friend and instantly felt a
great rush of freedom.
My best revelation is: the most effective way to curtail disappointment is to monitor our investment in others. It may seem harsh, but, what does the word of God say about it? "Guard your heart with all diligence for out of it flows the issues of life." Proverbs 4:23. There's no avoiding it.
If we invest too much in people
who fail to reciprocate the same level of commitment to us, we walk away
feeling used, mistreated, and discounted. I encourage you to give yourself a
chance. You, too, deserve the same level of love, commitment and sacrifice.
Besides, sometime we are blocking them maturing in Christ, which does neither
us nor them a bit of good.
Please consider this.#GiveYourselfAChance
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