I think if you’re intelligent enough, and you don’t do something creative with yourself, you become
an embittered, scheming person. I’ve actually seen this happen to people. The brain will literally stop applying itself to productive and therapeutic causes, and will instead glom itself onto micro manipulations within social groups, regardless of how small and tight-knit. If you feel like this is happening to you, that you’re stuck in the middle of a dramatic scheme to destroy you, slow you down, make you question yourself far beyond your comfort zone, GET OUT NOW. Do not waste time on people like this, who would rather accuse or convict you of something than understand your side of the matter (especially if the matter is YOUR life and YOUR decisions). Many times female friends will mascarade as protectors and friends, but will have deceit in their hearts, and will plot and scheme against you while putting on airs in front of you. If this confuses you, it should, it’s meant to. You have to be wiser (like the Des’ree song!) and know you have a path that your Creator has set you upon. It is not their path, it’s yours. They have their own. So if you have a friend that’s say an angry atheist, mad at all Christians for personal reasons, if you’re the Christian, it is not your burden to bear that they never made peace with religion. It is NOT your job to convert them. It IS your job to tell them they’re being disrespectful of you and walk away. No doubt they will try it again on another person. But this time you’ll be smarter. LOVE does not masquerade as accusation, criticism, and attack. LOVE is the most natural and easy thing in the world. There will be conflicts, but once it reverts to attack, pack your bags; it’s time for a new phase of your journey. Thank the people you love for loving you while they were capable, in whatever way they could, then move forward and allow them to do the same. War need not be the journey. Fight for your beliefs, yes, but pick your battles. Accept and grow from change. These are the tenets of the Erika Haines school of beliefs! Be loyal in your heart, and don’t parade it around for all others to see. Keep your head down and work hard. Be immune to gossip and false accusation. Do your part. Do it for God.
Erika
