When Family Becomes an Enemy

You have fought these people either physically, mentally or both.  You have asked God for forgiveness and mercy.  These people, who you call your "family," are not going to always like, love, respect, or appreciate you.  At times, they can feel more like foes than friends.  You desire peace among them, but lately all there is are arguments, tears, worries, and secret wishes to be anywhere but with them!

Take comfort in knowing that God cares.  He knows your every struggle and he wants to give you peace.  You will rise above your situation!  Tough times like these won't last forever.  Now more than ever, you must pray more.  Trust that where you are right now with your family and friends is not where you have to be this time next year!

I think of Romans 8:28, "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. "Child of God, these trials that you are now in are being worked out for your good!  Although we don't know the specifics of God's purpose, what we do know is that every time our foes bring about a challenge, there is something to learn and grow from.

Take a moment to pray the following:

"Lord you know the struggles I have with my family.  I confess the sins that I have committed as a result of deep rooted resentment, anger, jealousy, bitterness...I sincerely want to change from my wicked ways. Give me the strength for now to get through every challenge they put before me.  Provide me with an exit plan when the time is right.  I ask these things in Jesus name, Amen."

I prayed something like this many years ago.  Weeks after I prayed, I saw my breakthrough.  God granted me favor with them to help me move.  I was so grateful to have my own place!  I knew that God wasn't going to bless me until I changed my mindset and spent more time with Him and less focus on what they were doing and saying.  When I took my mind off of family and placed it on God, change came sooner rather than later.  They noticed I spent more time in the word and in church and although they were critical sometimes, I didn't let their remarks keep me off the mark that God had made for me!  I believe that God is going to free you, who is going through so much, just keep your mind on Him!

God bless.

Nicholl McGuire is the author of Know Your Enemy the Christian's Critic and the voice behind the YouTube channel nmenterprise7, a faith based podcast to bring spiritual enlightenment to a hungry world!

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People Do Things - Wicked Things

She didn't want to scare me, but she told me, "People do things.  Wicked things.  They will mess with your food, mess with your man, mess over on you..."  Grandma knew what she was talking about.  She had walked on both sides of the fence: good and evil.

When I speak to you on my channel, NM Enterprise7, YouTube, I don't wish to share, but enlighten.  Too many people go about this world not thinking too much about anything.  Their brains are usually on autopilot especially when they are somewhere they don't really want to be.  Oh,how easy it is to take advantage of the one who chooses to remain asleep rather than awake.  

I speak to my sons almost daily about the Boogie Man's manipulations.  The Enemy who controls anyone willing to take a walk on the dark side.  So many around my sons are lost.  They don't have a clue that they are Satan's next target.  My sons are like beacons of light attempting to help the clueless at times, yet some of their relatives and friends make the choice to remain that way.  They dismiss cautions, truth, and the gospel of Christ with a joke, an insult, or simply ignore.

You, who are reading this, you are told in so many ways to watch what you do, where you go, who you speak to...you may be vulnerable at this time in your life--recently hurt by someone who you thought you could trust.  As Grandma said, people do wicked things.  When people show you who they are, believe them!  I recall a time in my life that I didn't want to believe/judge/analyze/question people who I thought I could trust.  I just wanted to enjoy their presence.  But there was always someone around who saw something in them that I couldn't see and what they saw wasn't good.  I ached when I would hear the report, "Girlfriend, that is not your friend!  Mind what you say around her...that one right there is no good."

So tis the season, another holiday.  Someone is going to visit a relative or family friend and they are going to want to believe that what they are eating is all good, that no one is interested in a 

partner, and no one is trying to manipulate you.  But someone is, the child of God always has a Judas.  

Do you know who your Judas is?  

Be safe, watchful, and prayerful this holiday season :)

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

Not Every Confrontation is Worth Fighting

Confrontation happens and it can't always be avoided.  A foe doesn't want to have to deal with confrontation if he or she can persuade you into giving he or she whatever they want.  When I came across a foe, I found that just so long as I did what was expected of me I was in her good graces, but if I made a mistake, caused an inconvenience, or simply didn't respond to her in the way that she wanted, she would talk negatively behind my back to the one who actually liked me.

The day came when I ended up having to confront her via email first since I didn't see her due to a schedule conflict about a situation.  The matter was brought up by her via email so that she had documentation, I wasn't stupid, so I kept the dialogue going that way.  Eventually, I saw her in-person as well as the person she cc'd and explained my concern.  Of course, she made light of it.  I was willing to resolve the situation, but "no problem" was the typical response.  Sure, right!

Before long, I prayed about matters that came up and I realized that I no longer wanted to be a part of the immature shenanigans the individual came up with.  I figured out she felt threatened that I was going to be promoted and jealous of the way our manager treated me that is why she started on the course to nit-pick and cause unnecessary conflict.  Had I saw more benefit in that opportunity, I would have been facing that foe a lot.  I picked my battles with her and since then others. 

Not every verbal statement or physical confrontation is worth fighting.  There are times when you must stand-down if you love your freedom, want to keep your peace of mind, and obtain future blessings!

No matter what you are going through or what is ahead, above everything else, keep your cool!  You can do the following:

1)  Take a long pause before responding to an email.  Consult with a knowledgeable and trustworthy counselor about the matter that has come up.

2)  Don't bother to talk immediately about it while angry.  You may end up being angry with the person or people around you who just might advise, "Calm down, it's not that serious."

3)  Walk.  Move away from the tense environment.  Take slow breaths while you are out and about.

4)  If you are spiritual, pray.  What sense is it to have a personal faith if you don't use it.

5)  Think of ways to resolve the conflict before you write that email, make arrangements to meet, or pick up the phone.

6)  Watch your tone of voice when speaking to the individual or group.

7)  Smile as if you already won the battle :)  God got your back!

Also, keep in mind never battle with anyone when you are tired, hungry, sick, grieving, or worse have too many irons in the fire already.  You are guaranteed to walk away feeling defeated.

Nicholl McGuire

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