Oh I had a terrible meeting today. It was with a person who continually has her needs on her mind. I understand that we all have ourselves on our minds more than we should, however, it becomes a problem when we demand others to meet those needs. How can anyone fill a bottomless, black pit in the heart of another? We might be able to recognize the problem but it is not as easy to define the boundaries to be confident in the stand we may have to make in the relationship. We have trouble discerning where the fine line is drawn between laying your life down for another versus becoming a victim of codependency.  If we look at the example Jesus set for us, we find that He never enabled sin or sickness. The huge difference between us and Jesus is our own selfishness mixed with a lack of discernment.

Praying for wisdom, knowledge and discernment definitely is a primary key to all relationships.  I have also learned to consistently be honest, be truthful and be real. When it is all said and done, I still live with me and I am stuck with my own thoughts. Stability comes with clear convictions and unwavering emotions. To overcome difficult people, situations and circumstances, I have to be OK with me regardless of others words, behaviors or choices.

We all stand before the Lord for our own words, behaviors and choices. When we come to understand that God has eyes that see everything we do and ears that overhear all that we say, we learn to have more self control in our relationships with others.

Every morning we pray for empowerment while every night we ask for forgiveness. In between, we work out our salvation with fear and trembling living in the confidence and strength of the Lord. It all sounds very confusing and unsettling. I guess that is why dependency on the Lord in all things is our primary objective to live in peace with ourselves. Jesus said it best,

“In the world you will have tribulation; be of good cheer, I have overcome the world” and that world includes the difficult people you meet every day.