Stop It

We must stop allowing people to take the joy out of living our lives. This includes children, spouses and anyone else we've given access to take away our happiness. Jesus died for us why would we allow another human being to take the joy out of our existence? Often we give so much to those we love and sometimes we're giving too much. People have died prematurely because they've allowed the ones they love to drain them. Taking on issues that's not meant for them to handle, my prayer has been once I give the person and their issues to God that I leave it with Him to resolve. I no longer want to replay anyone's problems in my head, trying to solve them. Think about the heaviness many people carry that has absolutely nothing to do with their own lives. Scripture teaches us to cast our cares on the Lord. I believe in helping and being a listening ear within reason, but I've come to realize that I've used too much of my life taking on the problems of others. Especially when wise counsel was given that they chose to ignore. We must know when to cut the connection. If you allow it there are far too many people willing to leach off of you emotionally. This takes away the energy needed to help those who actually want help in a healthy way. I've been the person burdened by the problems of others and it was God who opened my eyes to understand that I couldn't continue doing so. You're not a bad person because you set boundaries and choose not to be the answer to every bad choice someone makes. Each of us are accountable for our decisions that's what maturity is. I now live my life with a deeper sense of meaning and with a lighter heart. Day by day I see things more clearly. Scripture also teaches that the devil comes to steal, kill, and destroy. How many times has the weight of the ones we call friends or family stolen our sleep? Because we're worried about them, how often has your joy been killed because they chose not to change? How many women specifically suffer health issues because of stress? Let me encourage you to stop trying to resolve the problems of people who don't want to fix their lives. When we follow God's way of living our lives become more content and peaceful. I must first love myself enough to know that I am worthy of living a life of peace. And this comes from trusting fully in God's ability to care for me and His wisdom to deal with those I love. When we think about how God truly cares for us it's an insult that we allow others to harm us . My advice is to listen to God's voice. You know when He's telling you to let them figure it out, stop involving yourself, or don't answer the phone. We must get out of God's way and allow Him to deal with His creation. Within a healthy limit I am my brother's keeper. Please take time and ask God to show you where your relationships are unhealthy and where you need to step back and allow Him to step in. And never forget, we are unstuck, and we are free!