How to Deal with Someone or a Group You Don't Like

But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! Matthew 5:44

We have all met people we simply don't like, yet we have to deal with them anyway because of our associations. You may have to see this person on the job, at a family reunion, or when you leave your home every morning. This person is like a thorn in your side. So how does one handle the negative feelings inside every time he or she sees this person or group?

Use Your Faith

If you are one who prays, pray for them. Now we are not talking about the kind of prayers that say, "Dear Lord, move this person out of my neighborhood..." or "I wish this person would disappear off the face of the earth." Those prayers don't do anything but fuel negative feelings. Sometimes these people are put in our path to test our character. If you grew up in an environment where family and friends didn't like a certain race of people, chances are you are being tested every time you encounter that one African American, Caucasian, Mexican, Asian, Italian, or some other race of people on your street, at your workplace, or in your church. Could it be you just don't like those people because of someone's deep hatred that was instilled in you? As much as we would like to say, "I'm not a racist!" God could be showing us different. So pray for peace of mind, a change of heart, and an opportunity to get to know these people before judging them.

Take Advantage of Opportunities

There will be those times when you aren't in a rush to get anywhere and then here comes that person or group you don't like wanting to talk. Rather than, resent their invites or their requests to talk, take a moment to listen. When you hear something you don't agree with, tell them politely. If you find that this person or group is disturbing and they proved why you don't want to be bothered with these people, continue to act distant. No one will blame you for not wanting an additional headache added to your life. The truth is not everyone is a friend and not everyone has our best interest in mind, but at least give the person or group a chance before you judge them.

Sometimes people do end up being great people to hang around when we just give them that one opportunity to prove themselves. We discover unexpected blessings, business partners, life time mates, and more because we gave someone or a group a chance. So be open!

Research

When you know the person's name, the company they represent or organization, then do your research. Sometimes you may not be doing any future business with the person you don't like, but you may find the group they represent phenomenal. There are ways to get around people we don't like to get to the people we do. So find out who the leadership in the area might be or if there are other representatives you can do business.

Appoint an Assistant

Let's say the person you don't like wants to do business with you. Well these days, you don't have to sit down with people. You can set the place and pace of the relationship early on by stating the best way to contact you or even better appoint an assistant who will be handling your phone calls or emails. You can say, "I have an assistant who will be giving you a call back on what we just talked about."

Create Distance

It's usually easier to handle strangers we don't like then family. With strangers, we can just walk by them and don't speak when we know they are nothing but trouble. In addition, we can avoid certain streets, shop at different locations, or move away from those strangers we don't like. However, toxic family members can be challenging even after we have done all the things previously mentioned. One way we can handle family we don't like is by creating distance. Maybe you can't move away from them, but you can stop calling or receiving their messages and tell relatives and mutual friends to stop passing this person's messages to you unless of course there is an emergency.

When you find yourself in a predicament where you don't like a person or group, consider what it is that makes you dislike him or her and/or association. It may not be the person, but their actions or the group they belong to that upsets you. Try to focus on the positive attributes that this person does have and hopefully this will at least help you during the time that you have to be around him or her.

The Pretend Christian: They Say They Love the Lord...

Things haven't changed much since biblical days. There are still sinners, mockers, liars, cheats, hypocrites, blasphemers, adulterers, thieves, and so on walking around in this world. This is enough reason to want to explore spiritual avenues in life to get away from the dark ones. Who wants to carry any of these labels forever?

As a new Christian, one who has recently dedicated his or her life to Christ, you will want to be discerning when it comes to connecting with those who claim to be like-minded. Even Jesus had one amongst his circle that eventually turned on him.

So what should you be looking for when communicating with people who say, "Lord, Lord..." but really act like "the devil, the devil!"

1. Confused or negative reaction when you talk about Jesus.
Some pretenders just don't know how to keep negative expressions off their faces when it comes to talking about Jesus. It is obvious they want no parts of conversations about Jesus when they are looking down at the floor, looking around, interrupting you because they "gotta go," or start angrily defending their actions or in-actions when it comes to doing the things of God.

2. Saying they will pray for you and others, but not really.
Those who are serious believers don't say they will pray and don't. There are ample opportunities for prayer. Some believers will pray as soon as a request is made over the phone, by email or live chat. If you see these born again believers in person, they might take your hands right there on the street corner, in the church during a service, on your job, and even on the bus without shame. However, those that pretend to be believers are busily doing something else while promising to pray, looking for the pastor and/or assistants to pray for you (because the job is just too big for them,) or finding everything else you say more interesting, but your prayer request.

3. Making excuses when it comes to being around Christian believers.
"I don't go to church because I'm not going to be accused of being a hypocrite, my life isn't right." If you haven't heard this excuse yet, you will. When you go to God in prayer, attend church, or sit with Bible-believing Christians, the Word of God doesn't say, "Clean yourself off first before you sit at my table." If you believe that then you are under man's law not God's word. In a metaphorical sense, the church is a spiritual hospital. In my opinion, there are God-appointed doctors and nurses there to care for the spiritually ill, those in recovery, and to educate visitors. I think of the types of people that gathered around Jesus. Those who thought they knew better were the sickest of them all and ultimately wanted Jesus killed.

We must remember that we had problems coming to Christ too when we were in the world. We made excuses so as not to be around, "those Christians." Yet, when we were down and out, we needed those Christians, didn't we? So when anyone (a relative, spouse, friend, co-worker or stranger) makes a statement about not going to church or any event where Christians are present for this reason or that, don't be hard on them. Yet, keep in mind, their "Praise God" and "God Bless you" doesn't give them a license to feel "led" to instruct you in your life, look the other way, this person is a fool.

4. Defends their sin.
No one wants to be called out on something he or she is doing that is contrary to the word of God. There are many things in the scriptures that our society doesn't participate in nowadays, but the foundational truths, those "common sense" statements like in the Book of Proverbs and the instructions of Jesus in the Gospels, cannot be challenged. However, a fool will debate the Bible. He or she will use the Bible to justify sin. They will judge others to validate their wrong-doing. They will also lie and cover-up their questionable behaviors. They will also find faults with your life in order to feel righteous and eventually knock you off your walk with God. Lastly, they will call you and your God names. This is the enemy at work!

When you feel spiritually drained around this person, frequently debate with him or her, or even question your own beliefs when you around this person, distance yourself from him or her. This person is being used by the adversary to get you off track from your walk. Rather, trust in the Lord to lead you out of whatever situation or connection you have with this person (or group.) He or she just isn't serving the Lord no matter what this person says.

Some people have a very long track record walking with God, but somewhere along the way they fall off (usually after the death of someone or something occurs in their life.) Their past records mean nothing if they aren't doing what the Lord wills for them to do today. These people are master deceivers. They are good at covering up how they really feel about God, because they usually have decades of experience acting like Christians (church attendance, outwardly shows of worship, tithing, church service, etc.)

We also must be watchful of other types of deceivers. Some people do pretend to be Christian in order to have sex with a person they find attractive. They will go along with the church invite, the bible study and other opportunities just so they can get close to you. Unfortunately, once they have had sex with you they are on to the next one--you have lost your mystery about you.

There are also those pretenders who only attend church for networking opportunities and others who just want to socialize and get freebies. You will easily see right through these people in time as you draw closer and closer to the Lord and will find yourself praying for them. They obviously are not interested in walking with God no more than a soul-selling musician who wants the riches and fame from the devil without doing anything else for him--its just not going to happen. You have to give up something to get something!

When you made a vow to walk with God, it was permanent. He is not going to forget you or leave you alone. He opened your spiritual eyes and this is why the world looks so much different to you then it once was. So now wherever you turn, you will see the writing on the wall that others who are still walking in darkness can't see, "Trust in me. I love you. I am here for you," says the Lord.

Overzealous Christians: When Giving The Gift of God’s Word Goes Wrong

Sometimes we can get carried away with our personal relationship with Christ. We start talking to everyone about our beliefs. We expect them to nod and say, "Amen." But the truth is, we could be setting ourselves up for a lot of trouble if we aren't acting wisely especially if you work with unbelievers. Even Jesus knew there was a time and place for everything. He didn't heal just any and everyone. He didn't proclaim to everyone who he was. He didn't stay in places where trouble was on his way to get him. Everything he did was systematic.

Trust in God to give you a system, a plan that will bring people to Christ not run them away! Read the following and be encouraged on Bukisa.com.  The article is titled:
Overzealous Christians: When Giving The Gift of God’s Word Goes Wrong

Food for the Believer

Sometimes there are those times when you see deception right before your eyes as a Christian. You wonder did anyone else see what you saw.

I put together a hub that shows how sneaky some people who claim to be messengers of God can be and how if you aren't too careful, you will get sucked into serving a god that resembles the one true God but really isn't. Learn more by visiting my Hub Page:  http://hubpages.com/hub/Can-You-Sell-Your-Soul-to-the-Devil.

Exposing the Corrupt Music Industry

I came across this interesting believer online. His name is Lennon Honor. This father, director, musician, radio talk show host, and more has created some very popular documentaries exposing some of the dark symbolism in the music industry. Check out his videos on YouTube or his website.

They Left Me Alone

No one knows me.
Everything about me is unusual, different, crazy, and strange.
For they don't know my Father, nor do they know his Son.
I am one with My Father.
I was created from a rib, his daughter,
yet they don't know.

Mindful of demons
Mindless of their Saviour.
He never died. He still survives
within.

And they don't know how to receive.
They live of this world.

How did I get here,
in love with an unseen God?
To know myself, to think for myself.
He used them for a season.
A little salt and then their flavour was lost.

I outgrew those who laid hands on me.
I outgrew those who raised me.
I outgrew those who I laughed and played with.

Sometimes it is hard.
The tears fall and I hurt inside.
They were an illusion--those folks from the past.
They preached and pleaded for me to walk this walk.

So now I am, but where are they?
Look at me, I am a daughter!
They look away.
They rather call me crazy, a babe.
He's with me when no one else is...
He's with me.

Nicholl McGuire
written October 17, 1997

Are You Really Praying to the One True God or a god?

Have you ever heard of the sun god Amun-Ra? Interesting that for centuries Christians attend church on a "Sun"day and many don't have a clue as to who Amun-Ra is. Even more interesting, the name is close to Amen (used when closing our prayers.) Hmm. A website reports that sometimes this god Amun-Ra is referred to as Amen--what!? We can't have anything without the devil putting his two cents worth!

What if the prayers we pray aren't going to the right God? What if something was intercepting those prayers? No wonder so many prayers don't get answered--just might be praying to the wrong god. Something to think about. Consider doing two things: spending time in God's word and praying in Jesus name if you are a new believer.

Visit these sites:

This provides a clear understanding of the prayer of Jesus:
http://dailyexegesis.blogspot.com/2009/05/give-us-this-day-our-daily-bread.html

This site explains the origination of "Amen."
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amen

The following sites talk about that other god who goes by many names...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amun

http://www.touregypt.net/amen.htm

Sometimes We Aren't Always Feeling Our Best

If you are real with yourself and others, you know that walking any walk with a Higher Power is not going to be easy. In my life I choose the God of the Bible -- the one who can only be reached through acceptance of his Son Jesus Christ.

Lately, there has been a shedding away of myself like an animal shedding its coat. So many things within me and around me are being stripped away slowly but surely. You think you are okay when you have stopped partying, sleeping around, cussing or doing the obvious things that any minister would be quick to tell you to stop doing. However, those things don't even scrape the surface of what is ahead! There are the songs you listen to, the company you keep, the things you watch on television, the Internet sites you visit, and the collectibles you have been holding on to since you were old enough to read that God calls into question.

When walking with God no stone is left unturned -- no stone! I am not comfortable where I stand with God as I write and neither should you! We are works in progress which means we will never come to a place where we can say, "I have mastered everything and therefore I am righteous!" Just when you start thinking that way, God allows the enemy to come and whisper a few things in your ear while giving you tests. Some of these trials you will pass while others you won't. Whenever you are in the presence of another human being you are automatically being tested. Even though you may not say one offensive word, at some point, you will think something offensive. That's life, my friend!  Stay blessed!

Why is there Suffering? A Mystery

One of many mysteries of the world comes in the form of a question. Why is there suffering in the world? Why does it seem the devil wins?

We shall find out answers about suffering and more when God takes over the world again. But for now, we can speculate all we want about why bad things happen to good people. No one truly knows nor understands why God allows suffering to happen. Some scholars reason its because God is "testing us, molding, shaping us into better people." Others say we wouldn't appreciate the good in the world without experiencing some bad. The reasons go on and on and for some people they provide no peace. What we know for certain is that judgment is coming. We know not the day or hour, but the Prince of Peace is coming again.

Too Focused on Mormons, Jehovah Witnesses & Others to Know the Truth

We all heard about the obvious cults in our society, but what you don't hear a lot about are the old school cults the ones that go back a lot further than the Mormons and Jehovah Witnesses. Freemasonry is on the rise again, Knights Templar, Illuminati, Rosicrucian, Middle Eastern religions that worship Allah and Buddha and many others are still very much alive, so much in fact you see evidences of these groups in the mainstream music industry. There is a heavy recruiting process going on these days, simply because Satan a.k.a Lucifer knows his time is about up! He needs to get as many people as he can to turn away from God in these last days. He knows that the book of Revelation will be coming to pass and even though he has been told repeatedly that he will not win in the end, he still insists on using people to believe otherwise.

Elite groups, secret societies or whatever you choose to call them, have not died and because so many think otherwise they are easily misled. It all starts with a token book, video, or some other form of communication to bait the unsuspecting (usually those who are "open to anything") like a fish catching a worm. I personally can see people like these a mile away and even more-so on the Internet, they are fortunate that I work for God, because if I didn't, no telling how many I could recruit for the devil's work! A lunch or dinner invite that may have been nothing more than something nice (at least in the beginning) ends up being a life long nightmare. Think how many victims start their stories with, "I had been invited...or I met this nice guy who took me to dinner..." Satan knows the flesh is weak and that is why it is so easy to put someone at ease eventually getting them to do what you want just offer them food and drink. A multi-level marketing opportunity turns into a meeting with Satanists or a church visit becomes nothing more than idol worshipers. The classic promises of fame, fortune and anything your heart desires are still the worms that catch the fish. Everyone who says "god" is not following the one true God. Oftentimes many of these groups leave Jesus out the picture or say very little about him.

People desperate for companionship, in need of money, housing or something else fall for the individual or groups' promises. Those desiring to learn more about life are open to opportunities to learn secret knowledge in the hopes to be elevated mentally, "illuminated" or some other promise from their god also known as Lucifer to some. Naive individuals draw near to their "mentors" or teachers in the hopes that they can become like them or even better. One's teachers often refers to others as "sheep," "cattle," or some other word to appear better.

If you recall any documentary you watched on cults, notice they were radical Christians. You don't see what goes on behind the scenes with Masons, Mormons, or members of the Illuminati, as well as others. You have to search to find credible former members of these groups. Consider the source when you are watching any documentary of Christian organizations. Ask whoever is showing you these documentaries, "What about other cult groups from the 17th century who are still practicing today?"

The journey into the occult can be a long, short and/or dangerous one depending on which path you choose. Despite what celebrities like Oprah tell you, all paths do not lead to God. Maybe to her god - being herself. But to get to the one true God, there is only one way and that is through Jesus Christ. Some say, "Well the church is corrupt. The Bible has been changed. The ministers are prostituting God's words for riches. I'm tired of the church!" To that, I will just say you have a choice you can use the same litmus test that you use for Christian groups for all groups - look for corruption in any and everything or do what you must within the Christian faith so that when you are absent from the body (dead) you are present with the Lord (start by reading the King James Bible to further your study, but be careful handling other biblical versions, many verses are left out or rearranged.) However, there are those who couldn't care less about the devil, God, heaven, hell or anything else and that's their choice too, but since I never died before, as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord even in my weak flesh that battles temptations everyday! I personally can't wait for the day to come that my spirit will be forever gone from this miserable world, but until then I will keep on speaking truth.

Independent Woman: A Byproduct of the Feminist Movement

A dedication to my career driven sisters who proudly boast their degrees.

I was proud of my status
an independent woman
fresh out of college.

I wanted the money
I wanted the honey -
a sticky, gooey mess
got all over my shoes
my books
my mind
and my behind!

Oh no! Wasn't prepared for the news
a baby on the way
a marriage,
and a break from my career!

Fought the man
felt he interfered with my plan!
Couldn't hold on to his extended hand.
He never felt comfortable with me
and all my thoughts of degrees.

What was I going to do with all my education?
Wasn't interested in going along just to get along
that's not what they taught in college.

For I was free to be me
and that's what I intended
didn't want a kiss if it would make me miss
my thought and the money that came along with it.
"Move away, I'm busy."
"Can't you see, I'm tired?"
"You are nothing but a mess!"

Honey left me alone
didn't like to be called a mess.
Considered himself to be sweet, sticky -
a treat for me.

I resented honey
because he messed with my money
didn't like the plan God had set for me.

Desires of my heart was a man really it?
I preferred to be alone and exercise to stay fit,
but the baby changed my body
but didn't change my mind.
I had to catch up, felt a little left behind.

God wasn't taught in college.
Love didn't make the Dean's list
unless money was in the same sentence.

A fight every day for an independent me
living in an independent world
as far as I could see.

Where was God in all of this?

Hey Dark World

Deceptive shades,
fire behind you
burning up the old you
to embrace the new you, entertainers!

Their music videos
don't match their Dear John letters.

Their dark side
hidden by glitter, gold
costumes, rings, tattoos.

Distractions.

Innocent, at first.
Their sold on a bunch of promises.
New car, homes, bonuses, reality shows.

Between the lies the puppet master speaks.
Behind dark shades,
he's always playing a game.

Fine print reads,
"You do this...you do that for us..."
A soul enslaved to laws that make no sense
free of common sense.

Followers
don't know.

A disgruntled former player in the game
tells the truth, watch "favor" sales decline.
His life at stake.

How many times do you think you can shake the money tree
with mixed up philosophies, dare I say, artist?

False religions
fake Christianity
change their names for fame
change their names to play a game.

Entertainers!
They use to be like you and me -
said prayers to God
now say chants to a god
use to go to church
now talk about a church.

An unholy union
with an unholy communion
smiling in my face
from the pages in print
the woman in red
prostituting herself
parading nude, teasing committed men
while her husband
degrades women
ignorant of truth
following a light that ends in darkness.

The black widow
killing him, killing you, killing me.

What to do
what to do
if and when the enemy uses you?