Push Back

Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today – June 25, 2017

I was pushed back and about to fall, but the LORD helped me. The LORD is my strength and my song; He has become my salvation.  Psalm 118:13-14

Life can be a sequence of pushbacks. People push back; Projects push back; Progress pushes back; Circumstances push back. Sometimes, it seems that everything and everyone is pushing back. How you respond to those pushbacks will be the difference between living in peace or turmoil. It is very wise to walk in lockstep with the Lord during a pushback period. Let Him be your help and strength. You will drive yourself crazy trying to determine all the reasons around the pushback. Instead, let God handle the people who are pushing back. They have their reasons, noble or ignoble. God will judge a person’s motive, not you.

God is still working during this pushback period, so use this time to gather more information and get to know and understand all the people involved. Pushbacks buy you time to develop a better relationship and to craft a more accurate plan. A pushback is not a failure, but a time to regroup and do better. More often than not, a pushback should not be taken personally. You don’t know everything that is going on personally or professionally with all those involved. This pushback may be for your own protection; it is what is needed to guarantee God’s best for you. He works His will in spite of—and because of—a pushback. It is disheartening and sometimes frustrating when someone close to you pushes back on a promise. They were sincere in the moment, but now have cold feet because they truly understand the commitment. You may need to push back on them and ask them to reconsider.

“Through you we push back our enemies; through your name we trample our foes” (Psalm 44:5).

Indeed, you need to prayerfully push back when necessary. This is part of the maturing process. Say no if your heart is not in this opportunity. Many people have wonderful life experiences to offer you. Some contribute to God’s best, but some are just expedient. Push back against those people who are too pushy. Help them understand your true feelings and aspirations. Your pushback may be what it takes to persuade others to do the same. Prayerfully orchestrated pushbacks are powerful ways to progress in God’s will. Your “no” may be very well what’s needed to transition to your “yes.” This is the wisdom of pushing back. It disciplines you to wait on God. Why redo things in the future, when you can push back now and start off on the right foot?

Relationships void of pushbacks are fragile and unpredictable. However, relationships peppered with pushbacks are resilient and authentic. This is how you get to know each other. This is how justice is able to bubble to the top. So receive pushbacks from the Lord. A gentle pushback from the Holy Spirit, in the beginning, is much better than a shove by the Spirit later down the road. Therefore, be prayerful and discern whether God is pushing back or pulling forward. In either case, Christ can be trusted. Receive and give pushbacks as part of God’s process. He is your help and strength. Above all else, do not push back Providence.

“He said, “This is wickedness,” and he pushed her back into the basket and pushed its lead cover down on it” (Zechariah 5:8).

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