Oh the games we sometimes play when we are in a close relationship.
Communication becomes difficult. Annoying little things add up.
Or we are just not in a good place. Busy, tired, frustrated, not enough time.
So we communicate less. Our words are painful.
Sometimes angry. Sometimes tears. Sometimes hurt.
See if you can recognize one of the common games we play.
Here’s the 7 basic rules:
1. Your friend does or says something that offends or wrongs you.
Or they ignore your needs.
Or they don’t give you what you want.
2. You get mad. And you get hurt. And you want to get even.
You want them to feel as bad as you do.
Because if they feel that bad, then maybe they won’t hurt you again.
3. You choose to shut off communication with them.
RELENTLESS and PERSISTENT silence.
4. If this friend is someone you live with, then things become eerily quiet.
You make it a point to say nothing when they are around.
You are uncomfortable with their presence in the same room.
But, if you are really good at this game, you will PRETEND everything is fine.
5. You tell yourself that you will not be the first person to say you are sorry.
Because you are always the one that does. And you are tired of it.
6. When you successfully have “been silent”, you feel like you are “winning.”
You’ve made your point. You smugly smile. You even get an attitude.
7. You WAIT to see if your friend asks for forgiveness. From you. Then you win.
Silent Treatment –
We as a Church have this game down too. Not only have we played this game with our spouses, we have played this game with our families, kids and friends…and we sometimes play this game with our Savior Jesus.
Maybe something has happened in your life that has offended or wronged you.
Maybe you feel that Jesus has ignored your needs
Maybe you feel that Jesus doesn’t give you what you want.
So you get mad. You get hurt. And you WANT to get even.
You want to have Jesus feel as bad as you do.
Because if He feels that bad, then maybe He won’t allow you to be hurt again.
So you shut off communication with Jesus.
He lives within you, so things become eerily quiet.
You make it a point to say nothing, even though He is with you. Always.
You are uncomfortable with His presence so you stop going to church.
Or worse, you go and PRETEND everything is fine.
You tell yourselves that you will not be the first person to say you are sorry to Jesus.
Because you are always the one that does. And you are tired of it.
When you successfully have “been silent”, you feel like you are “winning”.
You have made your point. You smugly smile. You even get an attitude.
But you forgot that Jesus is the One who WAITS for you.
He’s watched your carefully plotted steps away from His grace.
And He forgave you.
He’s seen your purposed and calculated moves leaving His mercy.
And He forgave you.
He’s observed your stone cold heart hardened against His love.
And He forgave you.
And He cries. And He hurts. Because He loves you. And He misses you.
He knows what’s in your heart, even when your lips are silent.
He knows what hurt you have, even when you can’t cry any more tears.
He knows what type of Love is needed for that healing.
It’s the kind of Love that bled and died for you. And forgave you.
Two thousand years ago. Past, present and future. 1 John 1:9
It’s the kind of Love that is RELENTLESS towards you and never ceases.
It’s the kind of Love that is PERSISTENT and faithful and righteous.
You won’t win playing your version of the Silent Treatment game with
The One who spoke the Universe into being.
The One who parted the Red Sea.
The One who rose from the grave.
The One who heals broken hearts. And busy, tired, frustrated lives.
Because He changed the last rule of the Silent Treatment game.
He WAITS for you. To see what you will do with HIS forgiveness for you. Today. You want it? Just Ask Him. And You win. Again.
Oh, and it’s not a game. It’s called Sanctification.
PRAY FOR: Pastors Breakfast on Friday. We have invited Pastors from churches throughout the district. Please pray for them to be encouraged and enlightened by our special speaker Brad Dacus from Pacific Justice Institute.
PRAY FOR: Adopt A Precinct. We are encouraging those who want to pray for their neighborhood and surrounding area to sign up for this.. A map of their precinct will be sent to them. We would like to see all precincts in Assembly District 66 (Craig’s district) be adopted in prayer. Our planned kickoff event is scheduled for Sept 28th. This is 40 days before the election….. We expect miracles and revival to take place!
PRAY FOR: Campaign volunteers and donors to continue to pour into the Campaign Headquarters. We are excited about the people who have decided to help out. There is true recognition out there that our district is in desperate need for the leadership that Craig has, to restore the paradise that we have lost.