Day 19 of 31 days of depression.
The people we spend time with influence our lives. It’s important to be aware of who we are hanging out with and spending quantity time with.
How negative are your friends or family? Are you spending time with someone who brings you down, is a negative nelly, or worse, puts you down all the time?
If you answered yes, it’s time to put that relationship at an arm’s distance. And if someone is being abusive toward you, cut the ties completely. There’s no reason to be involved with anyone who thinks abuse is acceptable.
I realize some of us have family members we can’t completely cut out because it means severing a relationship with other family members too. Trust me, I have one of those. Limit your time around them. Don’t engage their rudeness or abusive behavior but don’t sit by and accept it either.
There are times when we’re down & need to put a relationship in time out. It doesn’t have to be forever but it may be wise to do it for a certain amount of time or until you are feeling stronger and well.
Do today:
- Memorize this scripture: The Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen and protect you from the evil one. 2 Thessalonians 3:3
- Writing Prompt: Contemplate your friendships and family. Is there anyone in your life who is taking too much from your life right now? Don’t forget to write what you are thankful for and act on it. *If you would like a safe and free place to write, try this online journal at Penzu. It is password protected and you can even encrypt the journal if you need to. You can also use a fake name and junk email address for further protection. This way no one at home finds your personal diary entries.
- Pray: Lord, please help me examine my relationships. I pray for wisdom and discernment as I try to get better. Please show me if I need to exclude someone from my inner circle for a time being or forever. In Jesus Name, Amen.
The next 31 days we will be discussing depression and healthy ways to combat it but we’re going to get real too. Because for those of us who wind up in the pit often, we know platitudes and fluff pieces do nothing for us. My expertise is only based on my own very personal battles with depression and is no way, professional or medical advice. Your participation in this series is voluntary and Melinda Todd is not legally responsible for any choices or actions of participants. Participants release Melinda Todd and Trailing After God from responsibility and liability and continue at their own risk and discretion.
There is an interesting passage in the Bible in Ezekiel chapter 34 regarding negative people. “‘As for you, my flock, this is what the Sovereign LORD says: I will judge between one sheep and another, and between rams and goats. 18 Is it not enough for you to feed on the good pasture? Must you also trample the rest of your pasture with your feet? Is it not enough for you to drink clear water? Must you also muddy the rest with your feet? 19 Must my flock feed on what you have trampled and drink what you have muddied with your feet?”
Sometimes it seems like people get away with bad behavior. When I think about this verse I realize that isn’t the case. Hopefully, this helps encourage you. If you know God really does know who is pushing their own petty agendas, then there must be a way to win.
I really like that! So true, what we see here doesn’t mean that nothing’s being taken care of. We all answer for our actions.
I think this is the first time in my life that I do NOT have any negative friends/family in my life.
Wow.
Hopefully I have kicked denial out and am looking at things more clearly now.
*deep breath..
Amy