I am a (sometimes extremely frustrating) combination of passive aggressive and people pleasing. I do not like confrontation in the slightest, I will go out of my way to find common ground and give benefit of the doubt to avoid conflict, and I don't want anyone to dislike me. With those characteristics in mind, I often have to remind myself that if Jesus himself could not please everybody, I don't stand a chance.
The enemy knows this hang up, and over the years he has used it to keep me distracted and hung up on relationships and situations that bear no fruit. After all, if we are called to bear one another in love and get along, shouldn't I be doing everything in my power to make that happen?
That's where the lie comes in. Often times, I HAVE done all that is within my power, and it is time to shake the dust off my feet and get out of the rut where the relationship has me stuck. Going around in endless circles and unhealthy cycles does nothing. The Bible addresses this over and over.
Doing what is good can sometimes mean avoiding fights. Stay out of fruitless quarreling and do not get involved in foolish arguments. Know when the battle is no longer worth the war.
Pick your battles wisely, because the battle we face is not against flesh and blood. We are called to fight the good fight of faith, not to waste our time on arguments that fall repeatedly on deaf ears.
Don't get distracted. Do your due diligence according to The Word, then move on. Do not allow the enemy to keep you stuck in a rut so you can't move on to the spiritual battle you were created for. God has bigger and better things for you than endless unhealthy cycles that always end up right where they began.
Break the loop, if you have given two warnings and met with the person with your pastor if it comes to it and they are willing, you have done your due diligence. Love them, shake the dust off your feet, and move on.
[Tit 3:2 NASB20] 2 to slander no one, not to be contentious, [to be] gentle, showing every consideration for all people.
[Tit 3:9-10 NASB20] 9 But avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and strife and disputes about the Law, for they are useless and worthless. 10 Reject a divisive person after a first and second warning,
[1Ti 6:12 NASB20] 12 Fight the good fight of faith; take hold of the eternal life to which you were called, and [for which] you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.
[Eph 6:12 NASB20] 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual [forces] of wickedness in the heavenly [places.]
[1Pe 5:8 NASB20] 8 Be of sober [spirit,] be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.
[Mat 18:15-17 NASB20] 15 "Now if your brother sins, go and show him his fault in private; if he listens to you, you have gained your brother. 16 "But if he does not listen [to you,] take one or two more with you, so that ON THE TESTIMONY OF TWO OR THREE WITNESSES EVERY MATTER MAY BE CONFIRMED. 17 "And if he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, he is to be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector.