Something triggered a thought recently of how I have burned some bridges over the years. I think we have all done that at least once. In my case, I was hurt by pastors I worked with or those in a church I pastored. In poor response, I said or did things to make it known how hurt I was. I have even made the mistake of airing my feelings on this blog or on Facebook. I’m afraid some of you who read this may be feeling guilty right now.
Sometimes we are never able to rebuild that bridge. We do harm that sticks with people, and we will either never receive forgiveness or never get a chance to make things right with someone because they told the whole town before they told us that we advertently or inadvertently hurt them.
I want to encourage you to cool off before you go blasting somebody on social media without calling out names (and I’m not suggesting to call names either). I have looked so foolish doing such things. I am so thankful for a sweet woman of God who sent me a private message on Facebook once after a comment I made out of discouragement, frustration, and anger. I removed it. We only make ourselves look worse when we broadcast our emotions for all to see.
On the flip side of this, some of us need to burn some bridges. Those bridges lead to people who have no business in our lives. They lead to habits that must be left behind. They lead to regret and past sin that has already been forgiven. Those rickety bridges will lead you to a life of ruin because they are not made of solid material.
So about burning bridges…keep the bridges maintained that will connect you to people who will be a blessing in your life and leave them constructed as an example to those who are not acting in a godly manner. Tear down the ones that will lead you back to habits, people, and things that will destroy you. Do you see a “bridge”? Ask God what you should do – burn it or strengthen it?
Matthew Winters (Honest Thoughts from a Pastor) 
“On the flip side of this, some of us need to burn some bridges. Those bridges lead to people who have no business in our lives. They lead to habits that must be left behind. They lead to regret and past sin that has already been forgiven. Those rickety bridges will lead you to a life of ruin because they are not made of solid material.”
^ In February, God made me say goodbye to someone who was very dear to me. I kept seeing John K. Jenkins sermons telling me not to look back, text back, Facebook back, etc. I asked God for confirmation that I was hearing it for a reason, sooo he gave me another sermon along the same lines. Here are some notes from it:
People try to compromise, negotiate
When God calls people to move forward, they want to stay close enough so they can still be tweeted and find out what’s going on
You’re close enough that you still have the phone number just in case
Just in case (things go badly), i can still get back to my friends
Instead of having an attitude of gratitude (for not being taken out), he wants to stay close to Sodom
God told him, “I’m going to destroy the city but the favor of God is so strong on you that I can’t do anything to the city until you get to a place of safety.”
His wife looked back — she looked behind him — and she became a pillar of salt
I’m titling this message “Don’t Look Back”
“Remember Lot’s wife” (Bible verse)
If you want to move forward, you can’t look back, text back, email back, Facebook back, call back…
If you want to move forward, you can’t keep looking back — she was lingering
There was something about Sodom she liked
There’s something about your Sodom that you like
(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=frvaxpiHrQg)
Although I’m on the verge of homelessness (not an exaggeration), I can’t seem to stop looking back.
Your thoughts here are rich. I appreciate you sharing them. I am praying for God’s provision for you. I am personally going through the most difficult time in my life financially. These next few weeks are a time for God to show out because I have no other option. I wish I could say that I don’t look back. I do more than I want to admit. This is a reminder to me to look forward and focus on Jesus. I need these reminders multiple times per day. Please let me know how God comes through in your life and provides for you.
These next few weeks are a time for God to show out because I have no other option.
^ Same here. I graduated summa cum laude as an English and communication double major in 2009 and I can’t even get a job at the Dollar Store or CVS.
I, too, need reminders not to look back — I’m guessing that’s why God put it on your heart to post this today. I’d already ignored one reminder.
Thank you for your prayers. I’ll pray for you, too. Hopefully we’ll both be able to tell people about God’s glory soon.
Great post. The tongue…. oh how powerful it is. To breath life into or take life away from. It is an appendage I pray God for more control over.
Social media is especially vapid and poisonous. Sometimes we think we’re in control, but truly we are not. God help us all, especially not that we have been given even more ways to instantly connect our unrestrained thoughts and feelings with others!
Amen!
I read onetime, where a pastor has less friends, than anyone alive, How lucky he is? We just need a couple of friends if we can find them?