Walk Away

So Jesus no longer walked about in public among the Jews, but he left for the region near the desert - John 11:54

At this point in His ministry, the Pharisees had decided they were going to kill Jesus. Jesus had just gone too far in their eyes. Raising Lazarus from the dead was the last straw and they were going to come down on Him. So, Jesus took a breather and walked away for a minute to pray and be with His apostles. I know for a fact that many of you feel like there are people who are out to get you. They create drama in your life and are always coming down on you. What Jesus was going through is one end of the spectrum, but if anyone is causing you conflict and tension, then you also need a breather.

I've been in those shoes. Part of me felt that I needed to stick it out and bear it, offering it up to God, but it was breaking me. I felt anxiety, anger, and confusion all at once and it wasn't good for me. As St. Therese of Lisieux once wrote in her autobiography, sometimes the best way you can love someone is to walk away. If being around someone is causing you so much anxiety and stress, you need to take a breather from that relationship. You don't have anything good to offer them with your anger, instead you can sin against them. It's not abandoning the person because Jesus walked away to pray, and that's what you need to do - take a breather and pray for that person and for yourself.

Today's Prayer:
Lord Jesus, I know You know what it's like to deal with people who cause problems. I mean well and I want to put drama aside but they don't make it easy on me. I can't take the stress anymore. Help me to walk away and take time for myself and find peace and strength. I also pray for them so that Your love may also transform them. In Your Name we pray, amen.
Lumineux: Letting God's Light Shine
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