We’re here to help you learn and grow, so naturally, we share affiliate links for products that we use and love. When you click on one of these links, we will earn a small amount of money, at no additional cost to you, which we’ll use towards keeping the lights on here! You can read our full disclaimer here.

Chapters 18: Difficult People – Pages 130-139

I fully believe in embracing your weird (shout out to Felicia Day) and the quirky eccentricities that make up your being.  After all I write a blog called, The Imperfect Vessel.  I get it!

We do different here.

“We could learn a lot from crayons.  Some are sharp, some are pretty, some are dull, and some have weird names, but they all have to live in the same box.” – unknown

Different is beautiful.  It means that you were fashioned to be a wonderfully unique individual.  One who has a special set of gifts, desires and things that make you tick.  And that oneness of you, added to the oneness of others can create a beautiful portrait of God’s greater purpose.

And then there are those whose oneness tries to subtract from your own.  Instead of being a positive influence on your story, helping to shape it into a colorful narrative, they take an eraser to your vibrancy.

We all know people like this, emotional vampires, if you will, that drain the life right out of you through their negativity, their overwhelming neediness, their unrealistic expectations, or cruel and biting words.

Without much effort, I can think of three people in my life right now whose presence present these draining qualities, and so the wisdom that Jen imparts in chapter 18 felt like a life jacket for my soul.

“Come near, dear one, and listen: You are not responsible for the spiritual health of everyone around you, nor must you weather the recalcitrant behavior of others. It is neither kind nor gracious to enable.” {For the Love}

She reassured my heart that it is okay to establish solid boundaries for myself of what I will and will not put up with, that it is okay to walk away, and that it is not me who needs to step in to save these individuals.  I cannot be anyone’s Savior.  Only Jesus has that written on His resume.

In relationships, romantic or otherwise, it’s often difficult to follow through these steps.  It seems harsh and as if we’re giving up too easily.  Don’t be fooled by these traps.  No one will ever fault you for caring, but to do it at the expense of your health, sanity and especially your safety, is a risk that you should not consider taking.

“There is a tipping point when the effort becomes useless, exhausting beyond measure. You can’t pour antidote into poison forever and expect it to transform into something safe, something healthy.” {For the Love}

So how are we as believers supposed to exemplify Christ when dealing with these difficult people?

We love, fight for truth and forgive like Christ would.

[divider] [row-start] [three-fourths]Bree Blum is a just your average single thirty-something book loving, oil using, cardigan wearing blogger who loves Jesus.

You can connect with her on Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest.[/three-fourths] [one-fourth][/one-fourth] [row-end]