People Problems

I can’t remember the last time I wrote a blog without massaging it for days before posting it, but today will be different. It has been a rough couple of days. I had plans for a mentally relaxing start to my spring break, but instead I’ve been slammed by people problems. I’m asking myself what is a reasonable solution, and my immediate response is usually to isolate myself and to stay away from people altogether. To stop writing, to stop sharing, and to stop giving myself to people. But didn’t I hear on Easter Sunday that this is the exact tool the devil uses on a regular basis, and that is to divide people? And that he divides people so that he can get them by themselves to then torment their minds with doubt, anxiety, depression, and other negative thoughts? So what was my people problem: after dealing with a few incidents it boils down to this. I have to accept that not everyone wants to see others do well, and some will try to tear down those who are doing well. I came to this conclusion after talking to a couple of women who lost a significant amount of weight. Instead of colleagues congratulating them the two women have become the recipient of scorn and ridicule. This saddened and angered me as I listened to them share what had been said to them. In addition I’m still encountering several moms and concerned relatives of twenty somethings that are frustrated by their lack of ambition and initiative. I can relate immensely. Overall what I’m learning is that people don’t always do what we expect them to do, and although many of us have told ourselves we won’t allow ourselves to be affected by the actions of others, ultimately we are. We are affected because we care, which leads me back to my usual response to isolate myself. In an alternate reality, I dream of a utopia of me, my laptop, and wireless internet, and I think I could exist just fine. But that’s not what God requires of me or of you. Are people problems troublesome? They sure are, but if you are like me, you can probably picture yourself being just as troublesome to someone else. And this when God reminds us of His grace and lovingkindness towards us. His unmerited favor towards us when maybe He wanted to isolate Himself from us, but that’s not who God is nor is that how He created us to be. Even in our frustration and disappointment in other people and even ourselves, we need each other. As I bring this blog to a close, I can see and hear my prayer warrior friends praying for me. I see and feel their unconditional love. So I hope you join me in clearing the slate and focus on the people who are your blessings and not your problems. Know that God loves us unconditionally so that we can extend that same love to other people, and we do that by His grace and not in our own strength.