March 11, 2011

Don't Give Up On Folk

Do you feel like giving up on other people? Especially those that are close to you? It’s easier to give up on someone not connected to you, but what about those close to you.  I know what it feels like to be given up on. It’s not a good feeling.

I admit there are folk that we may have to keep at arms length.  They have a tendency to damage and hurt us deeply.  Does this mean we give up on them? Does this mean they can’t change for the better?  Is there any worse feeling than knowing someone has lost confidence in you and given up on you.  That is an empty, lost and hopeless feeling.  I wouldn’t wish that on anybody.  I encourage you today to not give up on people.  You may be asking, “What if they are hurting me?”  Again you may have to keep them at arms length, but no we don’t give up on them.  We pray for them, encourage them to change; just like we would want people to do for us.  I know I have to make changes in my life and I work on them everyday. Some days I make progress and some days I go backwards. That being said, I know that I can’t give up on others, because I am asking the same from people.  When we start seeing others from their own perspective we will have more hope in them.  We judge others from their actions, but judge ourselves from our intentions. Give people the benefit of the doubt and give them hope.  Give them forgiveness.  Give them grace and mercy.  Just don’t give up on people.