Valleys and Deserts
Fight and Flight ~ Withrawl and Rest
When times get tough, “stuff” happening left and right, I find myself using the limited strength I have to fight to make things right. “Fight or Flight”, they say. There are times to fight and times to take flight. Withdrawing from the “stuff” is the flight time. It’s just as necessary as the “fight” time. Fighting takes so much energy out of me that I am forced to rest my heart, mind, soul, spirit and body.
My particular battles lately have been about the lack of accountability of others and how it “victimizes” me. Here are just a couple of examples:
Someone I worked with caused damage to my car and didn’t want an insurance claim filed. Because of the “politics” of the situation, my trust was challenged, and yet I agreed. The repairs were done and paid for. However, the paint job went bad. I had to take it back to the shop and they agreed to repaint it for free. Great! However, I had to rent a car for several days, costing ME money. WHO’S ACCOUNTABLE for the damages? The one who hit my car, and the repair shop! Not ME. No one offered to pay the cost for the rental car, nor did I want to make a bigger issue by having to take either of them to small claims court.
The second issue is what I recently wrote a hub about ~ “When Child Support Services Fails”. When the Obligor fails to make child support payments, even WHILE on probation, without consequence, who suffers? I DO. MY CHILD DOES. I’ve been unemployed since December of 2008 and while I am thankful to have the provision of Unemployment Insurance, the immediate future looks bleak. I’ve worked hard to build my credit, buy a home, live responsibly, and never be late on payments. Now, I will have to incur debt or be late on payments, too? WHO’S ACCOUNTABLE?
Yes, there were many more things that happened the last couple of weeks, and I don’t need to journal everything here. My point is, there are times I need to just keep my issues between myself and God. Even well-meaning people can say things that can be taken in an offensive manner, rather than a compassionate one. Of course, I’m sensitive. Who isn’t when they’re going through trials? That’s why, after fighting to take action or tolerate these unfortunate events, I need to REST and be REFRESHED in the Lord...ALONE.
What do I hear my Lord say? “It’s OK; I am with you; I love you; I understand; trust Me; we’ll get through this together”. I do trust Him. I have to wait out the storm. I think of the example of Job. God allowed Job to be tried and tested…and along came the “religious, prideful and judgmental” folks to tell him how to remedy his situation. I have to learn to keep things to myself, so I don’t invite this added element to the equation.
Jesus often withdrew to the desert places ALONE. He had to get away from the crowds and even his dearest friends, His disciples, who loved Him. Taking a break from people is needed sometimes, especially when I need to focus on Him, bring my issues before Him, and watch Him do His work in me and around me. I don’t understand why God allows trials, but the Bible says it builds my character, perseverance and faith. I thank God that I can fully trust Him as my Shepherd to make me lie down in green pastures and restore my soul. Amen.
