There come’s a time when the only option left is to give up.<\/p>\n
Frankly, I must tell you that this point in your life is not a pleasant place to be in.\u00a0 People tend to be pretty resilient, accomplishing grand feats in spite of seemingly insurmountable odds against them.\u00a0 We hear the stories of those who have accomplished so much when so little seemed possible, and we long to be like that person, to hold on in the face of adversity until we conquer the obstacles set before us.<\/p>\n
We try to instill this in our children, with stories of little engines that could.\u00a0 We take them to Dr. Seuss for advice about the places they will go.\u00a0 We encourage our children to stick with it, no matter the cost, no matter the temporary pain they go through to reach their goal.\u00a0 \u00a0The pain makes you stronger, we say.\u00a0 We preach that “Pain is weakness leaving the body”.<\/p>\n
We teach our children to stand against those who wish to harm them.\u00a0 We explain to them that you have to stand up to those who wish to bully you.\u00a0 We show them that they have to fight against those who abuse them emotionally or even physically.\u00a0 We teach our children to protect themselves against all who stand against them.<\/p>\n
Still, there come’s a time when the only option left is to give up.<\/p>\n
Do not misunderstand me.\u00a0 Fighting for your happiness, your health, your friends and family, and even your very life is a noble cause.\u00a0 I do not wish to convince you that non-resistance is the path to peace.\u00a0\u00a0The cross-country runner should dig that last sprint out of their very bones and leave every ounce of passion in the grass smashed beneath their thundering feet.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>The children in danger of mistreatment<\/span>\u00a0and neglect should seek safety and the love they so deeply deserve.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>Those spouses who are being abused should not give up the fight until their situation has changed, and they have protected themselves from those who seek to do them harm.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Yet, in every life, there comes a moment when you must choose peace over power.<\/p>\n This moment of surrender is not in the midst of the fight.\u00a0 Rather, this moment is when all of the fighting is finished.\u00a0 When you have done everything in your power to set right what is wrong, and there is no further path to take to ensure your well-being, this is when you must give up.\u00a0 You have to give it all up.\u00a0 You have to let go of your power.<\/p>\n The pain.\u00a0 The hurt.\u00a0 The scars.\u00a0 The hatred.\u00a0 The past.<\/p>\n Even when you are victorious in conflict, the time comes to give it all up.<\/p>\n You have to forgive those who have hurt you.\u00a0 You have to give up the right to claim anything from them.\u00a0 You have to accept that what you are owed, whether it be an apology or reparations, will never be enough.\u00a0 The equation can never be balanced while you hold on to your half of the numbers.\u00a0 You have to forgive.\u00a0 You have to wipe the slate clean and walk away.<\/p>\n You don’t have to try to solve the same equation again, but while you hold onto the numbers, you’re still fighting for a balance that can never be found.<\/p>\n We see the greatest example of this modeled for us from the cross.\u00a0 “Forgive them father, for they know not what they do.”<\/p>\n Give up friends.<\/p>\n It’s our only hope.<\/p>\n Peace be with you.<\/p>\nDid you enjoy what you just read? Consider sharing it with your friends!<\/h3>