Accepting Someone Else's Answer

[seashmore]

Quick background: my sister got married in April, graduated high school in May, moved 600 miles to live with me in June (while her husband is on a Marine base in Japan), and turned 18 in July, and less than two months into this adventure, is making plans to move back home with her mother. Unable (or perhaps unwilling) to give clear reasons for why she wants to move back is because her anxiety is worse here than it's ever been. She also wants to help her mom get out of an abusive relationship. She claims that she received inspiration and confirmation from the Spirit that she is supposed to move back. In different words, she said that it was the first time she's ever received personal revelation. I am having a hard time accepting that, amidst her anxiety (and binge watching Game of Thrones), the Spirit would tell her to give up and go home. A big part of the reason she moved here in the first place is because she had nothing for her there.

To make matters worse, I gave in to the natural man and shouted at her last night. I warned her that, where she lives, there won't be any other members for miles. She doesn't feel like her car is reliable enough to get a job in town, but insists she will drive two towns over to go to church. She thinks things will get better if she gives up, and I warned her they won't be. She waited over a week to tell me she felt this way. Now, I'm stuck with a higher rent (thankfully my landlord is low key enough that he didn't make me add her onto the lease), a monthly internet bill, and getting my home back in order. 

Quite frankly, I'm disappointed that she's giving up so easily and am concerned for the precedent that it sets for her in the future.

[Guest]

28 minutes ago, seashmore said:

Quick background: my sister got married in April, graduated high school in May, moved 600 miles to live with me in June (while her husband is on a Marine base in Japan), and turned 18 in July, and less than two months into this adventure, is making plans to move back home with her mother. Unable (or perhaps unwilling) to give clear reasons for why she wants to move back is because her anxiety is worse here than it's ever been. She also wants to help her mom get out of an abusive relationship. She claims that she received inspiration and confirmation from the Spirit that she is supposed to move back. In different words, she said that it was the first time she's ever received personal revelation. I am having a hard time accepting that, amidst her anxiety (and binge watching Game of Thrones), the Spirit would tell her to give up and go home. A big part of the reason she moved here in the first place is because she had nothing for her there.

To make matters worse, I gave in to the natural man and shouted at her last night. I warned her that, where she lives, there won't be any other members for miles. She doesn't feel like her car is reliable enough to get a job in town, but insists she will drive two towns over to go to church. She thinks things will get better if she gives up, and I warned her they won't be. She waited over a week to tell me she felt this way. Now, I'm stuck with a higher rent (thankfully my landlord is low key enough that he didn't make me add her onto the lease), a monthly internet bill, and getting my home back in order. 

Quite frankly, I'm disappointed that she's giving up so easily and am concerned for the precedent that it sets for her in the future.

No matter what, we cannot make others' decisions for them.  She's an adult.  She's got her own life to live.  All we can do is listen to the Spirit for understanding what part we are to play.  Sometimes, people need compassion and understanding.  Other times, they need a swift kick in the pants.  How do you know which is appropriate?  When moved upon by the Spirit.

[Jane_Doe]

One of the hardest lessons I have ever learned is that when someone insists on (metaphorically) hanging themselves, I can't stop them.  I need to respect thier choices, even when they are moronic.  Just like the Father respected the choice of those who followed Satan. That agency is their gift from God.  And when they use it they have to deal with the consequences.  At a certain point we on the outside can only pray that they will learn quickly.