You’ve heard the expression “a double-edged sword,” right? In a literal sense, a double-edged sword is a sword that has two sharpened edges. You probably don’t have one unless you’re a Viking, but you’ve seen pictures and movies. Figuratively, a double-edged sword refers to “something that has both good and bad consequences.” Maybe you’re familiar with the famous opening paragraph of Charles Dickens’s novel, A Tale of Two Cities. “It was the best of times; it was the worst of times; it was the age of wisdom; it was the age of foolishness; it was the epoch of belief; it was the epoch of incredulity…”
Personally, I find this figure of speech refers to many of my relationships. They can be amazing, encouraging, life-giving, supporting, meaningful, and motivating. But I don’t have to remind you that they can be toxic, life-sucking, painful, and hurtful. They fall into the camp of “best of times” and “worst of times.”
Not knowing your situation at all, generally I encourage you in the middle of the “roller-coaster” ride called relationships to hang in there. Lean in, don’t lean out. As hard as they can be, often there’s a satisfaction and necessary component that only comes from being in a relationship with others. So before you “quit,” pray, get wisdom from others you respect, and see what unfolds. Charles Dickens’s main character predicts a future where his sacrifice allows those “for which he lay down his life to be peaceful, useful, prosperous, and happy.” The novel ends with a sense of optimism rather than crushing defeat. Maybe your story will, too.