Secret-Keeping Wife

Breaking Free: Overcoming Energy-Draining Relationships

In our spiritual journey as Christians, we often find ourselves tangled in relationships that drain our energy and hinder our growth. Inspired by our blog founder, Nicholl McGuire's insightful teachings, this blog post will help you consider a path to freeing yourself from these burdensome connections. Here’s how you can confront your foes and reclaim your spiritual strength.

1. Recognize the Signs

The first step in breaking free is recognizing the energy-draining relationships in your life. These may be individuals who:

• Constantly criticize or belittle you
• Demand more than they give
• Create drama or chaos around them
• Lead you away from your faith and spiritual goals

Take time to reflect on your interactions. Are they uplifting or depleting? Acknowledging the problem is the first step toward healing.

2. Pray for Clarity and Guidance

Once you've identified these relationships, turn to prayer. Ask God for clarity and wisdom in dealing with these individuals. Here’s a simple prayer to guide you:

"Heavenly Father, grant me the strength to recognize relationships that drain my spirit. Help me to discern your will and guide me in confronting these challenges with love and grace. Amen."

Praying will not only fortify your spirit but also align your heart with God’s purpose.

3. Set Boundaries

Establishing healthy boundaries is crucial. This doesn't mean cutting people off abruptly but rather defining how you engage with them. Communicate your limits clearly. Let them know what behaviors are unacceptable and how you wish to be treated.

Remember, boundaries are not just protective measures; they are acts of self-love. By setting limits, you honor yourself and your relationship with God.

4. Trust in God's Timing

Confrontation can be daunting. Trust that God will guide you to confront these relationships in His perfect timing. Patience is a virtue; waiting for the right moment can lead to more fruitful conversations and healing.

As you wait, continue to deepen your relationship with Christ. Engage in scripture, worship, and fellowship with other believers to strengthen your faith.

5. Seek Professional Help

If you're struggling to break free from toxic relationships, consider seeking guidance from professionals. Counselors, spiritual advisors, or therapists can offer support and strategies tailored to your situation. They can help you work through emotional barriers and provide tools for maintaining healthy relationships.

6. Maintain Your Faith

Throughout this journey, keep your faith at the forefront. Regularly engage in prayer, meditation, and reading Scripture. Surround yourself with uplifting influences and supportive communities that encourage your growth.

Trust in Jesus Christ to be your guide. He knows your struggles and will provide comfort and strength in times of need.

Conclusion

Breaking free from energy-draining relationships is a transformative process that requires courage, faith, and patience. By recognizing the signs, setting boundaries, and trusting in God's timing, you can reclaim your energy and spiritual well-being. Remember, you are not alone on this journey. Seek support when needed and stay steadfast in your faith.

As you rise above these challenges, may you find peace and strength in Christ, and may your relationships reflect His love and grace.

Face Your Foe Team, feel free to check out more informative posts.

Sucked into Dramas? Avoid the Bait

For years, I have provided wise content on this blog about how to fight off one's adversary, whether seen or unseen, in the lives of many believers.  The victims find themselves being sucked into dramas whether they willingly went along with the script or not.  Before long, someone or a group is using and abusing them.  As I type, some individuals are still trying to find their way out of the matrix of relational "issues."

How did you or they get there, you know caught up in someone else's drama, in the first place?  You had an open heart, an ear to hear, and a drive to want to help.  The problem for so many believers is when do you cut off the help, when do you stop saying, "yes" and start saying, "no"?  The signs are usually there early on when you look in your bank account and realize you overspent on someone whether they were deserving or not.  More signs are sure to follow when they stop saying things like, "Thank you, what can I do for you?"  Still more signs when you need help and they say, "Oh, I'm sorry I can't...I wish I could..."

Let's rewind and learn from what we did and move into the future of what we won't?  Sound good?  I stopped and looked around and I knew that I had done more than enough to the point that I was starting to feel overwhelmed.  I didn't want to be a part of anyone else's world whether invited or not.  I realized that just as in the Bible the Israelites had to venture to the land of milk and honey, those that I knew had to do the same.  Nowhere in the Bible are we supposed to be the milk and honey for others.  You are not the supply, God is!  I believe that is why for many believers we end up burning out, because we attempt to meet everyone's needs while leaving no energy, finances, time, etc. for ourselves to accomplish whatever it is that God would want for us.

The next time the drama starter calls, stops by to ask a favor, or sends a text or email; rather than say, "Let me see what I can do..." or "Sure, I'll take care of that..." how about saying, "no" like they would to you, sooner rather than later.  Here's what that looks like if in person.

You have to suddenly get up and tend to other business in the next room.

You have to make a phone call.

You have to walk away and get ready to go somewhere.

You have got an important meeting or task to tend to.

Here's what that sounds like:

"I'm sorry that is happening to you.  I'll tell you what, I'll pray and may God send someone to help you."

"I really wish I could help, but I am in no position to, I have done all I can, and I can't do anything else.  I suggest you look for someone else to help you with that." (Keep repeating in different ways until they get the message.)

It was so nice helping you before, but it won't be so nice this go round because I can't do it." (No explanation necessary.) 

Drama comes in many forms from casual conversation to a stare with possibly a tear trickling down one's eye.  Whichever way it shows up, you know that the drama queen is using words, eyes, service, and anything else to hook you.  Once you, like a fish, swims on over for a bite, got you!  So, avoid the bait before it escalates into drama, make yourself unavailable from the start.

Nicholl McGuire is the owner of this blog and the author of Tell Me Mother You're Sorry and Say Goodbye to Dad

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If you are a believer and you haven't taken the time to pray for your relationship, do it now!  Lately, Satan has been busy with more schemes to break up happy homes.  There is a season for all things and whenever couples are being celebrated, Satan puts his army of devil worshipers to work!

You see, embracing love moves people to make changes, behave differently, come up higher, and do other things that free them from Satan's binding schemes.  Those who have been oppressed in loveless relationships take blinders off and work to find personal solace and freedom.  Others who have had their share of struggles, yet still remain together, don't want to break up.  So if there is a window of opportunity to take a small disagreement and turn it into a major one, Satan will do just that!

What is in darkness does come to light, but always consider the timing.  If you feel that your relationship is under attack, you will need to stay in prayer.  Don't assume everyone has your best interest in mind including a wayward spouse.

Now if you are one who has a quality relationship with your partner and much upset has been taking place lately, you should be asking, "Why would someone or something happen during a time when things are typically positive and what should I or shouldn't be doing at this time?  Also, think about one's motivation for causing upset.  Sometimes we can be our own worst enemy because we permit other people's issues to affect us.

If you should find yourself in drama, disputing over stupid things, and feel as if you are walking in darkness, do take the time to reflect on what is happening, meditate on the words in the Holy Bible (start by reading the Book of Psalms) pray, and fast (depending on the circumstance such as: death, financial loss, and certain health ailments like stomach upset).

Nicholl McGuire shares spiritual insight on YouTube Channel: nmenterprise7.

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