Unsatisfying Relationships

Some people stay in unsatisfying relationships just to be able to say they stayed. At times we stay simply because we are tired of walking away. Or we may stay for the "bragging rights," to be able to say, "I did my best! I tried really hard! I gave all I had to give!" Or we may stay hoping against hope that things will get better, that we will one day get what we believe we have given. Sometimes we stay just to prove we can stay. The question is, what are you really proving?

As children, we learn how to take a spanking. We learn how to run. How to hide. How to duck, dodge, and cover the various parts of our bodies to avoid the pain of a spanking. If we are lucky, we eventually master just what to do and how to do it to lessen the blows. The question is, what do you say about yourself when you show that you know how to take a beating?

In relationships, it is quite possible to stay long after it is healthy or wise to do so. But you can only duck and dodge for so long. You can only take so much. You can only master what you know is coming, which leaves you completely unprepared for new developments. To stay for the sake of staying could hurt you or get you hurt. Beyond the physical, mental, and emotional pain, there is damage that is done to your spirit. When that damage happens, there is no way to duck, run or hide from the pain.

In the past, you may have considered yourself brave for staying in a relationship or other situation because you knew how to stay. Starting today, be devoted to evaluating why you stay, what you must do to stay and whether or not staying is causing you spiritual pain.