YOUR STEPS HAVE BEEN ORDERED

Photo provided by Kathy Mitchell

The steps of a good man are ordered 

by the LORD: and he delighteth in 

his way. Though he fall, he 

shall not be utterly cast down: 

for the LORD upholdeth him with 

his hand.

Psalm 27:23-24

Your steps are ordered by the Lord. 

Sometimes in life we may have wondered if 

this statement is true.  

Growing up, I often heard the scripture
paraphrased,  "The Lord will not allow things
to be put upon us that we can't handle but he

would make a way of escape." 

I have found the way of escape 

is one we don't always desire to 

take.  Sometimes it may force us 

to show tough love and there are 

times we would rather verbally

argue than to show that tough 

love. 

Tough love may be a path that makes 

life tougher not only for the other 

person but perhaps for you. It may
mean you also have to become tougher,
work harder, or suck up pride. 

You can choose to stay in a relationship 

doing the same things, still getting the
same results, not understanding the
proper way to love and be loved.

Or, you can show tough love and find
you will both grow stronger due to your 

willingness to be stronger than the battle

you are presently facing. 

Love is more than a feeling.  Love is 

giving respect and support but it is also
about loving yourself enough to understand 

that you are worth not being stepped 

on and taken advantage of. 

I have spoken to multiple people over 

the last few months that just want to 

throw in the towel on life and end it all. 

I can personally tell you this isn't the 

answer to your problem as it only moves

you out of the picture.  Most of the time

the person acting out keeps living the same 

as they previously did, so that the only thing
accomplished was to  transfer that pain and
hurt to other loved ones or someone new. 

Tough love draws the line and says, "Enough

is enough," and forces the other person to 

face reality and see themselves for who 

they really are and become a better person 

though the process.   

Most of the time, the person having to 

administer tough love needs extra prayer

and support to stay strong and not run 

back too soon, as running back too quickly 

only shows the other person you will run 

out of strength and melt. Then, they tend to
 pick up right where they left off and continue

being the same person. 

Whether you are struggling with someone 

who is ill and has started demanding beyond
what is acceptable, or have a relationship
where the other person has become addicted
to alcohol, drugs or even pornography, the 

only long lasting result is tough love.  

There are times when distance makes 

things worse.Most of the time, however
when dealing with a person who is ill, out of
control or addicted, it takes distance to clear
your mind and gain the strength needed to
face the battle that lies ahead.

Sometimes tough love is going for 

a few hours at a time to a local 

coffee shop, shopping center or park.  

Sometimes it takes longer periods of time 

before the person realizes their issues are 

not acceptable and out of control.

Love yourself and the other person(s)
in your life today and show the kind 

of love that is lasting and healthy.  

Stay with your commitment by showing
tough love long term, for your loved one
may continually test your patience and
endurance. 

Remember, the steps of a good man

are ordered by the Lord and it's up to 

you to put your feet into those steps

and grow stronger instead of erasing 

those steps by giving up.