I never thought that I would be sharing one of the hardest learned lessons of my life so soon in another situation in my life.   But God knows what we need to learn and when, to move us forward in wisdom through this life.  The lesson is sure enough...but the details I have left intentionally vague to protect those involved.

A very wise man once gave me advice concerning a christian brother that was misbehaving and refused to be brought to accountability by his brothers and sisters.   He said, "Greg, you know what kind of person Mr. Smith is...that he changes the rules in the ninth inning.  You have a choice to make.   Do you want to be associated with these kinds of people?"

At the time my answer was an unbelievable NO.  "Mr. Smith" and I were so close that we did everything together.  Our families did everything together.  So to separate from Mr. Smith and family was quite a traumatic break for my family and myself.

What I learned from this is that sometimes there are irreconcilable differences...I use that term lightly, because God can reconcile all things by changing the hearts of the people who follow him.

When one or more parties involved with a certain discrepancy can not come to agreement it, logically follows that there can be no more accomplished working together.  It is quite possible that over time "irreconcilable differences" can begin to soften.

When emotions have settled down from a high plateau and people have had a chance to rest and relax, very productive things can happen.  This usually involves lots of time and the hand of God changing individual circumstances.

When there is time spent away from each party, there comes a certain perspective that otherwise might not be found.  Perhaps in the future there will be opportunity for more dialogue when hard feelings can be more easily put aside, as they are not so fresh and painful to experience.

It is foremost in my mind and heart, that Christ is above all things, and our relationships to brothers and sisters in Christ must stay intact according the scriptural directives of God's Word. When this requirement of the body of Christ is overlooked or put off in favor of the matter at hand, the consequences end up being hard.  Feelings are hurt, and the relationship is effectively grenaded.

Sometimes the heart of one does not ever try to see the entire situation from everyone's perspective.  Instead the selfish heart focuses in on the troubles it sees, putting those troubles in front of Jesus...instead of seeking to put Jesus Christ in front of the troubles.

If life is viewed from a daily walk perspective, where things can be flexible, but priorities stay the same, the amount of work one can accomplish is staggering.  But if the priority of Christian relationships fails to be on the priority list as top notch...than just like the world, christians are doomed to failure.

The only way forward is to rely on God for wisdom and seek the face of Christ.

Also...when God brings forth such a situation in which you have to choose to walk away...it is usually His way of turning our stubborn attention from the problem at hand, towards something more productive that we can accomplish by putting our energy and commitment elsewhere.

At some point you just have to choose to get off the roller-coaster ride before you get sick and puke all over your christian brother.  I choose to walk away from a bad situation which is not benefiting any longer to the cause of Christ, so that God may deal with the situation as He sees fit.

The Strong Watchman