Tonite I saw an old friend, this friend was very cruel to me. He said things to me that you should not say to a person. He said things to me to intentionally hurt me and bring pain to me, He did this, even during a difficult time in my life. I have grown. Some people are too good, so good, they are not vigilant (watchful and aware). Vigilance is not suspicion. Suspicion is when you actually become a judge prematurly; vigilance on the other hand is sweetly, humbly, taking everything in. People are intrinsicaly good, yet we can allow our enemy to use us, and we can yield ourself to his control, complete control. An adversary walks about seeking who he may devour. Gaurding your heart simply means that you hold on to wisdom. Proverbs says, 'buy wisdom and sell it not.' We must practice, repeat what we have learned, to become steaddfast and to gaurd or beliefs; gaurd our hearts. "Above all", the Scriptures say that we should "gaurd our heart, for out of the heart (a precious substance) flows the issues {Gk} of life. This friend that I mentioned to you, never felt the need to apologize to me. I saw him, He walked in and just portrayed as if the events never happened; so now it was my turn...Ladies, (as the weaker vessel: because God said she is)--how do you interact with someone who has hurt you, who has made an effort to destroy you. How do you interact with that person. Your responsibility sisters, is to never allow a frenemy to forget, disregard, or undermind how they treated you; they may have no remorse, see no need to apologize to you for their betrayals, but this is when you need to love yourself. Sisters, love yourself so much that you will not settle for any type of treatment. Stand up for yourself, and know when to say no, when to walk away! Some frenemies are not even worthy of your attention, you should see them and turn the other way-- they tried to hurt you. Would you keep sending your child to a caregiver who you have discovered is abusing your child. Shame on you, if you even hesitate. No, you protect your child from further harm, Because You Love Them; and that is the same tender loving care that you deserve. Do not settle for nothing less than love. Love never fails. Do not keep showing up for the abuser. To them, You are an opportunity.
When Jesus told his discpiles to shake the dust off of their feet when they are rejected, his effort was to gaurd them from misuse. Keep your pearls, cherish that which is precious, stay sweet, keep smiling, stay positive. As you journey, let your peace settle with those who recieve you, yet those who would not, let your peace return to you. Dont give them your peace, keep going and take your peace with you. Gaurd your heart. When you gaurd your heart you gaurd your soul, and that is a precious soul. People tend to respect those who respect themselves. You'll never lose a friend by respecting yourself; you'll gain one. They'll thank you later, Dedicated to my art therapist, Joanna.