When persons around us are trapped in some cycle of destructive behavior it is easy to enable them in the name of love. Sometimes we look back and remember that we were trying to help, but it only made things worse. We don’t feel good that we were used to no good end. We must not be driven by guilt in the name of compassion. Acting for the long term good of another is not contrary to Christlikeness. Particular situations are often incredibly difficult to discern. It takes sincere prayer and careful thought. We all know that there are times when tough love is necessary, and it can be as tough on ourselves as it is for the person we love, but we do it for their long range ultimate good.
Lord, give us wisdom in how best to show love to those in need without making their situation worse. Help us not to develop a hard heart when someone has taken advantage of us. Help us to stop calling our soft-hearted actions love when they increasingly have bad outcomes.
