5:142 – Go Away

#faithbites #faithjourney away

Intro

In my head, I’m shouting, “Go away.” My voice is saying, “Not right now” or “No thank you” or “maybe in a while.” Right now, I’m exhausted. I taught a 3-hour workshop, haven’t been sleeping well, been like a dog with a bone on paint spray booths (yes, I got an airbrush for my birthday but can’t use it yet), and just need to relax. I want people to go away. But I can’t say that or they get hurt. But how can we say that or use other words to make sure we are getting what we need.

Questions

• What do you do when you are frustrated at no one in particular and need your space?
• How can we tell that to our loved ones without them becoming upset?

Scripture

• Proverbs 25:17 – Let your foot be seldom in your neighbor’s house, lest he have his fill of you and hate you.
• Proverbs 15:1 – A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.

Reflection

God has made us to live with each other. We divide burdens and multiple celebrations. At the same time, he told us we need rest. Even Jesus often left to pray and rest. We don’t want to burden our loved ones by staying too long or ignore them by staying too far away. I’ve also seen that when we need rest and aren’t getting it, we become angry and bitter. Also not a good thing. While I don’t have the answer for how to do it, we need to, and God tells us to use a soft answer instead of anger. It may be hard to do when you are frustrated and things just aren’t getting done.

As we close, remember to try to be kind and loving. When you can’t be, ask for forgiveness, and try better next time. (Yes, I’m not answering very well as I’m frustrated but this too shall pass).

Prayer

Father God, tonight we pray for rest and understanding. Help us not push people away but let us get the space we need. Help them to understand when we need time to focus and recover. We pray this in your name, Amen.