Friday Fight 275: Faithfulness Over Frustration

Every Friday morning, during my quiet time with the Lord, He faithfully places something on my heart that speaks to the subtle, internal battles many of us face. This is Friday Fight 275.

How many of us have faced difficult situations in relationships? It could be a relationship at work, at church, in a previous marriage, or within our own family. We may be unsure why the relationship has become strained, yet we know deep down that things will likely never be what we once hoped for. The question arises, “Should I keep going, and if so, how?”

Faithfulness Over Frustration:

If we cannot control the other person’s response, what does faithfulness look like on our part? Sometimes we are tempted to measure whether a relationship is worth continuing based on the other person’s response. Do they appreciate me? Do they recognize my efforts? Will it ever get better?

Perhaps God is gently shifting our attention to a different question—not, “What does my future hold with this person?” but instead, “What does faithfulness look like for me today?”

We can’t control another person’s heart. We can’t make someone change their behavior or respond the way we wish. But we can choose how we respond. Colossians 3:23 says, “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters”. This reminds us that ultimately, what we do isn’t about earning someone else’s approval, but about living and loving as though we are doing it for the Lord.

If we cannot control the other person’s response, what does faithfulness look like on our part? Sometimes it looks like loving deeply, speaking gently, and extending grace. It can also mean keeping appropriate boundaries. Faithfulness does not mean accepting mistreatment, endlessly chasing someone’s approval, or carrying the responsibility for fixing a relationship by ourselves.

Love deeply, but don’t lose yourself. Speak gently, but don’t be afraid of the truth. Give grace but keep healthy boundaries. Don’t retaliate. Don’t become consumed with what the other person is doing–or not doing or will do.

When we face a part of the relationship we cannot fix, give that part to God. We can't change another person’s heart, but we can release it. God can work in places we cannot reach. We can trust that He sees what we cannot see and knows what we cannot know. We may not understand why a relationship has become difficult, but we can still choose to respond in a way that honors God.

We don’t have to figure it all out today. We don’t have to know how everything will turn out. We don’t have to have all the answers before we take the next step. We can ask God, “What does faithfulness look like for me today?” and then take that next step with Him. Sometimes the faithful step is releasing the outcome to God and refusing to carry what was never ours.

Action Step: Take a few moments today and ask God, “What does faithfulness look like for me in this relationship today?” Write down the one thing He brings to mind. It may be an honest conversation, an apology, an act of grace, a healthy boundary, or simply releasing the situation to Him. Then take that one step and trust God with everything beyond your control.

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In His Grace,

Pastor Shannon

NEWLIFE Calvert

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