Compromise

Compromise. We all do it. There are so many situations every day that require us to compromise in one way or another. But what about the times you are tempted to compromise on your morals? What about those times when God’s timeline is different from the timeline you’ve set for yourself? Compromise is a natural part of life, and each life circumstance presents its own specific types of compromise. As a single person, the one area I see the most compromise in is relationships. I’m certainly not immune to the temptation, and have certainly had more times than I should in my life where I’ve given in. So I know firsthand the pain of choosing to compromise and realizing I’ve made the wrong decision. However, right now I have to be honest-- it’s really hard not to give in when I watch those around me compromise and seem to find happiness in their decisions.

For example, a friend of mine made the decision to enter into a relationship where she knew her choices were sinful and the guy was not someone who shared her beliefs or morals. I watch this person, that I know is doing the wrong things (and she knows it too), as she is blissfully happy in her choices right now. Mentally, I know that she made the decision to walk away from God’s best and one day she will feel the weight of her decision. However, the emotional part of me hurts because as I try so desperately hard to live a life without compromise, a friend chooses to compromise and is thrilled with her outcome. To be totally honest, I felt cheated. It hurts to know how hard I’m working to do the right thing, and see others get ahead by doing the wrong thing…

I find myself fighting between what I know and how I feel—and right now how I feel is usually winning. However, it is becoming increasingly clear to me that how I feel is being completely controlled by Satan. Of course he wants me frustrated, distracted, and angry. How can I serve God and feel this way? I can’t. That’s the point.

As I realize this, I’m learning more about myself and how I view myself in God’s eyes. Am I doing the right thing to live a life pleasing to my Savior, or am I doing the right things to get an earthly reward? It’s so easy in this world to see things with earthly eyes—to stay focused on what I get here, and to forget that my focus should be eternal. Yes, I see people compromising and happy, but I also know that those are houses built on sinking sand. Hopefully, I can remember that as I am daily tempted to compromise…

God has been teaching me two specific things during this time of growth… First, if my emotions are at war with what I know, I have to be able to continually combat how I feel with the truth of Scripture. It’s challenged me to memorize more Scripture so that I can quickly combat Satan’s lies with the truth of God’s promises. Secondly, although I can’t change my situation, I can still choose joy. I’m still in my same circumstances—single, stressed, and often overwhelmed by life. However, joy is not a result of where I am. Joy is a result of who I trust, and the hope that I find in remembering His promises to me daily. No matter how difficult life is, there is eternity to look forward to and that alone should give me cause to live joyfully…

For those of you who are tempted to compromise in relationships like I am, stay strong. Remember to run as hard and fast as you can towards our Father… One day, you will look next to you and find a partner who will run along side of you. Don’t be tempted to grab the hand of someone behind you and pull them along. Wait for a true partner… Strive to live a life focused on eternity without compromise…

Phil. 3:3-14