Sometimes, the hardest thing to do is the thing we need to do the most. We often feel pressure to respond immediately or react to situations that feel personal or hurtful. But what if the real power lies in choosing not to engage—especially when it’s not worth our time or energy? In those moments, we mirror Christ’s example of grace, patience, and restraint. Ignoring doesn’t mean neglecting our feelings or pretending that something hasn’t happened. It means refusing to give unnecessary attention to what doesn’t serve our higher purpose.
STORY TIME!
You had just finished a meeting that ran over its scheduled time—something that happens despite your best efforts to stay on track. As you were rushing to join the next meeting you had organized, you received a message from Person 1:"Are you coming to your meeting?"
It was a fair question, but it carried an undertone that made you pause. Of course, you were on your way. After all, the meeting wasn’t solely for your development; it was a collective effort aimed at learning and growth for everyone involved.
Before you could respond, another message came through from Person 2: "Are you coming to the meeting? If not, we need to let the group go."
The wording stung a little, implying that the meeting hinged entirely on your presence—as if the topic wasn’t relevant or beneficial to the group as a whole. Your initial instinct was to reply immediately:
To Person 1, “Yes, I’m coming to our meeting.”
To Person 2, “I’m on my way. Thank you for advising on meeting etiquette.”
Instead, you took a different route. You joined the meeting, greeted everyone warmly, and expressed gratitude for their time. Without addressing the messages directly, you focused on the shared purpose, goal, and vision of the meeting. The discussion proved productive, and you concluded by outlining clear action items while reaffirming your commitment to supporting the group when they were ready to move forward.
After the call, the temptation to revisit those messages lingered. A part of you wanted to address the underlying tone and clarify your perspective. However, you chose to rest in the assurance that they knew you had seen the messages yet opted not to respond.
Let’s be honest—sometimes, the hardest thing to do is exactly what we need. It’s often in those moments that we are allowed to be more like Jesus. When we hold back from reacting, we exercise grace and restraint, and we allow God’s holiness to shine through us.
Imagine the immense weight of knowing that Jesus would die for the very people who would later crucify Him. He chose to submit Himself to the hardest thing, knowing that through His submission, His majesty and holiness would be revealed.
In moments of tension, when we feel provoked, we have a choice. We can react impulsively, giving way to our emotions—or we can choose to ignore, to reflect Christ’s love and grace even when it’s hard. Our emotions are not eternal God is. When life presents us with moments that stir our emotions, let’s remember that we have the power to choose what we respond to.
It’s not about suppressing our feelings, but about choosing what’s worth engaging with.
Sometimes, the greatest thing we can do is to ignore what doesn’t serve us and focus on the bigger picture.
