Beauty in your life- change your thoughts for a positive outlook
Share a story about the furthest you’ve ever traveled from home.
I drove to San Antonio Texas for 10 days going to a Veterans Conference. While a lot of time was spent in meetings. I had time to go to The Alamo and the RiverWalk visiting all the shops and amazing food, along with the boat ride downriver.
What Do We Actually Know About Them?
There has been a lot of talk about Angel lately. Everywhere I go people are talking about angels even the prophets talk about angels these days. But what does the Bible actually say. I decided to do a study on angels, I thought I would share my findings.
For centuries, angels have been portrayed as beautiful human beings with wings and glowing light, complete with halos, harps, and flowing white gowns. But is that what angels really look like? Angels have inspired all sorts of imaginative stories and depictions. What’s let when we separate fact from fiction? What does the Bible actually say about angels?
Angels have an always existed. According to scripture, they are part of the universe God created. The Bible refers to angels as “host” or “armies” of heaven, Nehemiah 9:6 says, “You are, the Lord you alone made the heaven, the heaven of heavens, with all their hosts… and the host of heaven worships you.” In the New Testament, Paul tells us that God created all things “visible and invisible,” and specifically includes the angelic world in that phrase “Whether thrones or dominions, or principalities or authorities” (Colossians 1:16).
While Bible verses tell us that God created angels, the Bible also suggests that they don’t “exist” in the same way we do. Hebrews 1:13-14 suggests that all angels are spirits. When Jesus appears to the disciples, He asserts that “spirits” don’t have bodies like He does (Luke 24:39). Angels, can’t usually be seen by humans unless God reveals them (Numbers 22:31, 2 Kings 6:17, Luke 2:13). However, from time to time, Andrew took on bodily form and appeared to various people in scripture (Matthew 28:5, Hebrews 13:3).
Scripture names three types of heavenly beings that appear to be types of Angels:
Cherubim
Seraphim
Living creatures
Cherubim
Cherubim are mentioned in several places throughout scripture,
– They guarded the entrance to the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3:24).
– Gods is enthroned above them (Ezekiel 10 1-22).
– God rides on them (Psalm 18:10).
– Two golden figures of Cherubim sit above the Ark of the Covenant, where God promised to dwell among His people (Exodus 25:22; 18:21).
Seraphim
Another type of angel, the Seraphim, are only mentioned once in the Bible. They appear in Isaiah 6:2-7, Where they continually worship will Lord saying “ Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord of hosts, the whole earth is full of His glory.”
Living Creatures
Ezekiel and Revelation Speak of other kinds of heavenly being known as “living creatures” around God’s throne (Ezekiel 1:5-14, Revelation 4:6-8). They appear like a lion, an ox, a man, and an eagle, representing various parts of God’s creation – wild beasts, domesticated animals, human beings, and birds. They, too, worship God continually: “Day and night, they never cease to sing, “Holy, Holy, Holy, Holy, is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come!” (Revelation 4:8).
Angels in the Bible appear to have rank in order. Angel hierarchy is supported by Jude 9, when the Angel Michael is called an “archangel” a title that indicates rule or authority over other angels. He’s also called “one of the chief princes” in Daniel 10:13, and appears to lead God’s angelic army in Revelation 12: Now war, a rose in heaven, Michael and his angels fighting against the dragon and the dragon and his angels fought but were defeated” (Revelation 12:7-8). Paul also tells us that the Lord will return from heaven “with the archangels call” (1 Thessalonians 4:16). Scripture doesn’t tell us if he refers to Michael, or there are other archangels as well.
Only to Andrew‘s first pacifically named in scripture. As said above. the archangel Michael is mentioned in Jude 9, Revelation 12:7-8, and Daniel 10:13, 21).
Gabriel is the only other angel named in the Bible. He’s mentioned and Daniel 8:16 and 19:21 as a messenger who comes from God to speak to Daniel. He’s also identified as God’s messenger and Luke 1. He tells Zachariah, “I am Gabriel, who stands in the presence of God” (Luke 1:19). Then we read, “In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, to a virgin…and the virgins name was Mary” (Luke 1:26-27).
Angels frequently appear as messengers in the Bible, traveling from one place to another.
The fact that angels are not omnipresent is made explicit when the angle comes to Daniel and says:
“I have come because of your words. The prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me twenty one days; but Michael, one of the chief princes came you help me; so I left him there with the prince of the kingdom of Persia and came to make you understand what it is to befall your people in the latter days.” – Daniel 10:12-14.
If Angels were omnipresent, Michael wouldn’t have “came to help” because who would’ve already been there, and this angel wouldn’t need to leave Michael to bring this message. Unlike God, who is omnipresent, angels are finite creatures, limited to one place at one time.
The Bible doesn’t tell us how many angels God created. But apparently, there are a lot of them. Here are a few ways the Bible tells us how many angels there are:
– On Mount Sinai, God “came from the tens of thousands of holy ones, with flaming fire at His right hand“ (Deuteronomy 33:2).
– We also learned that, “the chariots of God or tens of thousands and thousands and thousands“ Psalms 68:17 NIV).
– When we come to worship, we come into the presence of “innumerable angels” (Hebrews 12:22).
– John says, I heard around the throne and a living creatures, and the elders, a voice of many elders John says, “I heard around the throne and the living creatures, and the elders, a voice of many angels, numbering myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands” (Revelation 5:11).
Every biblical reference to the total number, angels suggest, that they are beyond counting.
The Bible clearly tells us that God sends angels to protect people. “He will give his angels charge over you and guide you in all your ways. On their hands they will bear you up, lest you dash your foot against a stone” (Psalm 91:11-12).
But are these what we think of as “guardian angels”? Jesus’s words in Matthew 18:10 seem to support the idea that individual people have guardian angels. In heaven, their angels always behold the face of the Father , who is in heaven. But Jesus, not only meant angels were assigned to protect little children in general.
When the disciples in Acts 12:15 say that Peter’s ‘angel” must be knocking at the door, this doesn’t necessarily imply that they believe in guardian angels. It’s possible that they believe in angels were simply guarding Peter at the time.
While arguments can be made, there seems to be no definitive biblical proof for the existence of “guardian angels.”
Jesus taught that in the resurrection people, “neither marry or are given in marriage, but are like angels in heaven” (Matthew 22:30; Luke 20:34-36). Yes, clearly suggest that angels don’t marry
No other scripture addresses relationships between angel, so anything beyond this is simply speculation.
Angles are called “mighty ones to do his word“ (Psalm 103:20), “powers” (Ephesians 1:21) and “dominions” and “authorities” (Colossians1:16). They are certainly “greater in Mike and power” than humans (2 Peter 2:11; Matthew 28 2)). Angels use their power to battle against Satan, demonic forces (Daniel 10:13; Revelation 12:7-8, 20:1-3).
During our earthly lives, we are lower than the angels (Hebrews 2:7). But as powerful as Angels are,when Jesus returns, followers of Christ will be raised higher than them (1 Corinthians 6:3).
Genesis 2:1 tells us that the angels were made at some point before the seventh day of creation. The heavens and the Earth were finished, and all the host of them, host, referring to heavenly beings.
Exodus 20:22 is even more explicit In six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested on the seventh day. We can at least confirm that all the angels were created by the sixth day of creation.
But there’s a hint of the creation of Angelic beings on the first day of creation, when we read “ in the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth” (Genesis 1:1), immediately followed by, “the earth was without form and void” (Genesis 1:2). There is no mention of heavens in the second verse. This might be intended to contrast the emptiness of the earth is with the heavens,where God already created angelic beings. This idea may be supported by Job, where we read that the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy” when God laid the “corner stone” of the earth and sunk its “bases” (Job 38:6-7). If the angels shouted for joy when God was forming the earth, this could imply that God created the angelic being on the first day. But, this is only speculation.
There are numerous ways and with angels carry out God planned on earth:
– They frequently bring God messages to people (Luke 1:11-19, Acts 8:26, 10:3-8, 22, 27:23-24).
– They carry out with some of God judgments, bringing a plague upon Israel (2 Samuel 24:16-17), smiting the leaders of the Assyrian army (2 Chronicles 32-21), striking King Herod dead because he did not give God glory (Acts 12:23), pouring out bowls of God’s wrath on the earth (revelation 16:1).
– When christ returns, angels will come with him as a great army accompanying their King and Lord (Matthew 16:27, Luke 9:26, 2 Thessalonians 1:7).
– They patrol earth as God’s representatives (Zachariah 1:10-11).
– They carry out war against demonic forces (Daniel 10:13; Revelation 12:7-8).
– John records, that an angel, seized the dragon, that ancient serpent, who is the Devil, and bound him for1000-years, and threw him into the pit…” (Revelation 20:1-3).
– When Christ returns, and Arcángel will proclaim His coming (1 Thessalonians 4:16, Revelation 18:1-2, 21, 19:17-18).
Humans are the only intelligent, moral creatures, who glorify God. In Psalm 130:20, 148:2.
“Angels, glorify, God for who he is in Himself, for His excellence. Bless the Lord, O you Bis angels, you mighty ones who do His word, hearkening to the voice of His Word.”
The seraphim continually praise God for His holiness (Isaiah 6:2-3), and so do the living creatures (Revelation 4:8).
Angles also walk by God as a witness His plan and unfold. When Christ was born in Bethlehem, a multitude of angels, praised God, and said, “ Glory to God, in the highest, and on earth, peace among men with whom He is pleased” (Luke 2:14; Hebrews 1:6). Jesus tells us, “There is joy before the angels of God, over one sinner, who repents” (Luke 15:10), indicating that angels rejoice when someone turns from sin, and trust in Christ.
Peter tells us that “angels long to look” (1 Peter 1:12) into the glories of the plan of salvation as it works out in the lives of believers each day. To emphasize the seriousness of particular command, Paul reminds us that our actions are carried out in the presence of angelic witnesses:
“In the presence of God, and of Christ Jesus, and the elected angels I charge, you to keep the rules without favor doing nothing from partiality” – 1 Timothy 5:21; 1 Corinthians 4:9
If Timothy follows Paul’s instructions, angels will witness his obedience and glorify God. If you neglect to obey, angles will also see and be grieved.
“Worship of angels”, with one of the false doctrines being taught at Colossae (Colossians 2:18). In the book of Revelation and angel warns John not to worship him. “You must not do that! I am a fellow servant with you, and your brethren who holds the testimony of Jesus Worship God” (Revelation 19:10).
We shouldn’t pray to Angels either. God is able to answer prayer Paul, warns us against thinking that any other mediator can come between us and God, “ for there is one god, and it was one mediator between God and man, the man in Christ Jesus” (1 Timothy 2:5). If we were to pray to angels, it would implicitly give them a status equal to God. There are no examples in scripture of anyone praying to an angel or asking for an angel’s help.
Scripture gives us no warrant who seek appearances of angels. They manifest themselves and unsought. 26 such appearances would seem to indicate an unhealthy curiosity, or a desire of some kind of spectacular event, rather than love of God, and devotion to Him and His work.
Though angels did appear to people at various times in scripture, the people apparently never sought those appearances. Our role is rather to talk to the Lord, who is himself, the commander of all angelic forces. However, it would not seem wrong to ask God to fulfill His promise in Psalm 91:11 to send angels to protect us in times of need.
Much of what we see, or hear about angels in culture is based on speculation, non-biblical sources, or just plain fantasy. The Bible has a lot to say about them – so much in fact that it can be hard to say which of the things we hear about are rooted in scripture.
What does your ideal home look like?
My ideal home would be close to a beach. There would be a least 4 bedrooms and 2 baths. Open concept kitchen. Decorated with nautical accessories to bring the beach inside that is brightly colored. At least 4 bedrooms and 3 baths. A fireplace, just because I’ve always wanted one. Comfy furniture by my big bay window. A big front porch with an ocean view. A fire pit for barbeques. A pool and a jacuzzi.
I’ve always loved the beach. I can feel all the daily stressors drifting away when I think about it. There’s just something about salty air, sand, and the crashing of the waves,
King Solomon said it best in Proverbs 4:23, “Above all else, Guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.” This scripture implies that whatever we allow to enter our hearts, if not examined and evaluated properly, will undoubtedly be expressed in our lives and our actions -in positive and negative ways.
Vigilance is defined as the action or state of keeping careful watch for possible danger or difficulties. That’s exactly what God calls us to do with our hearts. We are to pay extra attention to our hearts and watch them closely. There will be dangers and difficulties we can face in life, and we should be ready.
Jesus has done everything for us. We can be forgiven for all of eternity if we repent. What He did on the cross and how He rose from the dead was enough and will always be enough. If you’re a follower of Jesus you should remain loyal and faithful to God in everything you do.
The wellspring of life…where someone does all thinking, feeling, and choosing doesn’t come into out hearts from external circumstances but rather flows out of our hearts through the Holy Spirit. At the end of the day, what we do reveals our heart.
Here are 7 ways to guard your heart:
1. Protect Everything That Comes In
Everything is competing for our time, money, and resources. Just turn on the TV or social media or go anywhere and you’ll quickly be hit with anything and everything that wants your attention. Music, videos, sex, books, language, power, money and pride are just some of the many examples.
We need to use wisdom in what we allow into our hearts. We only have a limited time each day to make much of God, so what are we being influenced by, listening to, or looking at?
We should train our eyes to look away from lust. Listen to wisdom instead of folly. Protect yourself from harm’s way and a culture that is anti-God and replace it with things that are Godly. And your heart will remain protected.
2. Persevere In The Face Of Difficulties
Difficulties happen in life, there is no getting around it. It’s a product of a sinful world with sinful people. It’s not a coincidence that God lines out multiple things for you to do while following Him. Reading the Bible daily, praying consistently, sharing the Gospel every chance you get, and spending time in solitude with the Lord are just some of these.
There will be times we don’t feel like being in the Lord’s presence or feel like He is listening to our prayers. Persevere! Trust that He is always completing a good work in you. Believe that the Lord will prevail, in all things. As you persevere, you will continue to grow in Godliness and your heart will be strong.
3. Follow What The Lord Is Leading You To Do
This is a nice way of saying “Obey God.” If we don’t do this why do we expect anything good to happen in our lives. Everyone is different. We all have different skills and desires and that’s a good thing. God made us all different intentionally. He calls us to follow Him in many different ways. Some will be teachers, pastors, emergency technicians, stay at home parents, musicians, mechanics, writers, or retail.
What is God asking you to do? What do you desire and you just can’t stop thinking about it? Chances are that’ll what God’s calling you to do right now. Trust Him and go for it. The longer you quench that desire, the more strain your putting on your heart.
4. Cultivate An Atmosphere Of Community
When we are adopted as sons and daughters of the one true King, we come into a family and are sent on a mission. This involves people. There is no way to follow Jesus in isolation, it doesn’t make any sense. If your following Jesus, you’ll be part of a church and He will make you disciples… that does not translate to -just have your personal isolation relationship with me and you’ll be fine. We need people. We need community,
Your heart needs people constantly pouring into you, and you need to be pouring into people. There’s a constant flow coming in and out as you love and serve others. People need to hear about Jesus and you need to grow in the Lord with your family that you’ll be with for all eternity.
5. Keep Priorities High And Do Not Compromise
There’s wisdom in keeping our priorities. Of course, those need to be the right priorities to become with, keeping them is a big deal. What can happen (and it’s happened many times) is that we let the day dictate our priorities instead of our priorities dictating the day.
God, our family (spouse, children etc.), work, and so on is an example of an order of priorities to keep throughout your day. How should we be expect to be blessed and have abundant life if we don’t put God first? If we put God first everything else will follow (Matthew 6:33). What we might be tempted to do is to lower one throughout the day of elevate one too high.
Yes, we live and serve one another, but not to the extent of compromising the priorities and values the Lord had given us. Once you make a little compromise here or there, you begin to add toxicity to your heart. The good news is that if you keep them, your heart will grow in wisdom,
6. Trust The Lord With Rest
We live in a culture that is so fast-paced, chances are you might have to spend about 30 seconds on this page, and you will be off to the next one. Productivity is elevated above all else and people are praised for getting things done. While we run around like crazy, we often forget how bad it is for our hearts. We are also telling God we don’t trust Him in the process.
When we rest in the Lord (including taking a full day off), we are declaring out dependency on Him. We are admitting we can’t do life on our own. If you think about it, your body needs sleep 1/3 of the time you are alive, Not only that, when we fall asleep or even wake up that’s only because of the Lord.
Whether you need to start observing the Sabbath, or just need to take a deep breath and let the Lord so the work instead of you, be encouraged to trust Jesus and rest. Let your heart rest, “The yoke is easy… the burden is light” (Matthew 11:30).
7. Preach The Gospel To Yourself Each Day
This last one some up everything above and couldn’t be more important. The Gospel isn’t just a “one-time” thing and a ticket to heaven, but something we all need each and every day. The secure take our eyes off of the cross we forget who we really are. Our hearts need to be reminded that while we still sin, we are forgiven, redeemed, and are children of God.
As you start your day with this reminder, you’ll have no choice but to glorify God in everything you do. You’ll begin seeing God’s hand on everything you do.
What brings a tear of joy to your eye?
I have a sensitive heart, so there are quite a few things on my list. Seeing a newborn baby, seeing or knowing an abused animal is adopted, seeing someone get their life to Christ. Are the main ones. Other are seeing acts of kindness and knowing it blessed the other person immensely, when something happens in my life that is impossible and then realizing God has done it.
We often have a hard time with change. We want others to change their ways, attitude, behavior, or opinions. We can our financial situation, or jobs or living situations to change. But the fact is that nothing has to change m, but us; our minds, and hearts. The only one who remains unchanged is God. He says “I change not.” But, we can’t live our lives without changing. If we can’t change, we can’t grow and we die. You’re the only thing that you have to make sure change, not your situation. We have no control over anyone else’s change.
Open you heart, your life, your will, and your mind. God created us in His image. He is the way to our salvation. And it starts with repentance, and becoming a new creation, we can put away our old self and grow in maturity. Being a change for God. He never changes, His job is to never change and He shouldn’t. Our job is to change. To change and grow and mature.
When I think about how I’ve changed and transformed over the years I keep coming back to the same word -Grace. Because for me I can’t explain it any other way. I know it’s a gift from God.
We have to want to change or it will never happen. It’s not someone’s job to change us. It’s a transformation that happens at a level of consciousness that we cannot influence without hard work. But it’s God’s Grace that actually makes it happen.
When you drop a rock into a still pond, the ripples spread out in every direction. The effect is felt not only when the rock fell, but circles out all around it.
Something similar happens with our thoughts and actions. The inner state of Being and thoughts of each person creates a ripple that effects everyone around them.
Have you ever walked into a room where someone is depressed or thinking negative thoughts all day? If so, you probably remember how the air feels – heavy and oppressive. On the other hand, you can probably think of times when someone’s presence immediately makes you feel calm, balanced, and clear. They probably have a positive attitude that you can pick up on.
The above could be considered a subtle ripple effect from the thoughts that each person carries. And we emanate an effect out to everyone around us, based on our inner state of being.
If you pay attention you can even feel the lingering effects of the ripple on a room, or space. If you walk into a theme park, even when it’s empty there is a lingering energy from all the noise and motion that were their before. But, if we walk into a place of prayer you will feel the exact opposite. The whole space holds a feeling of quiet calm that goes beyond silence.
The thoughts of those around us have an effect on us. When you spend time around someone who is sad, or depressed you may start to feel a little low. Come near someone who hates you, even if they don’t say a word, and you can feel the harsh impact from their thoughts. In turn spend time with negative people and you may find negative thinking slowly creeping into your state of being. Just noticing this can help us pick the kinds of thoughts and people we want to surround ourselves with.
The essence of the Ripple Effect is to realize that you carry your whole state of being with you wherever you go. So what you are emanating to others? What thoughts do you carry inside of you all the time? Thoughts of gratitude for life, and possibilities of what to create? Or thoughts that destroy yourself and others?
If the thoughts of the people inside a country are mostly steeped in hatred and violence, it will certainly come about. So what are you heading toward with your thoughts? What ripple effect are you creating for the world around you?
Why do you blog?
My main reason for starting a blog was to help people deal with some of the same struggles I’ve been through. I have had a crazy life and have learned a few things along the way. If I can help one person with the knowledge I have learned then writing 100 blog posts would be worth it,
I have been blessed to have a man of God help me along the way. That has shared his infinite knowledge with me. Many people can read the Bible and still be confused. In the past, I could open the Bible and feel it was just a bunch of gibberish. If I can understand it now. Again if I can help one person it will be well worth it.
My blog isn’t about making money, it’s about sharing information. Sharing information much more valuable. And the blessings from that are so much more.
Instead of dwelling on what’s wrong, what didn’t work out, start thinking about what God promised you. God said your latter days woe better than your former. You haven’t seen, heard, or imagined what He had in store for you.
When you stop dwelling on things you free your from (the negativity, past, present) it cleans headspace to make room for healthy growth.
I can attest that nothing good has ever come out of one of my excessive dwelling sessions. It only seems to unnecessarily blow the issue out of proportion.
Dwelling on things feels like it gives you a sense of control, that somehow this rumination process is going to help you feel better or solve the problem. But in reality you never end up feeling better or more in control. You’ll end up feeling hyper-focused on a negative situation.
Revelation
Revelation tells is the during the seven years of judgment called the Tribulation, seven angels will sound differently trumpets, which will release a series of shocking expressions of God’s wrath on the earth. The catastrophic results will lead some to repenting and finding salvation.
“So the seven angels who had the seven trumpets prepared themselves to sound.“ -Revelation 8:6
The First Trumpet:
Earth’s Vegetation Devastated
Hail and fire will destroy a third of all the trees and the grass will be burned (Revelation 8:7).
The Second Trumpet:
The Seas Struck
A great burning mountain of fire will be thrown into the sea. This will lead to an environmental catastrophe for all sea life. The world’s greatest tsunami will sweep the nations and a third of all the ships will be wrecked. Expect islands to split in two and one side will slide into the sea creating tsunami’s, and underwater mountains will collapse. Jesus explained the seas and the waves will roar (Luke 21;25, Revelation 8:8-9).
The Third Trumpet:
Unclean Drinking Water
An asteroid called Wormwood will strike earth creating earthquakes and rogue waves. The debris in the air will lead to an impact winter. Sunlight will be blocked, little will grow and a third of drinking water will be polluted by Wormwood. A third of a,, who drink this tainted water will die (Revelation 8:10-11).
The Forth Trumpet
The Firmament Shaken
A third of the sun will be struck, a third of the moon, and third of the stars will be darkened. The fallen angels will plummet (Revelation 8:13). Before the sounding of the fifth trumpet, an angel will cry out for the woes coming upon the earth. If people still refuse to repent during this period, the following three trumpets will be far worse (Revelation 8:14).
This isn’t global warming as some people are believing. It is predestined.
The Fifth Trumpet:
Satan’s Vengeance
This trumpet leads to Satan turning on his own and tormenting all who follow him in their rebellion against God. People will discover whom they chose to be their lord! Satan will be permitted to punish the citizens of the Anti-Christ Kingdom by scourging them for five months. Demonic locusts from the bottomless pit will be released, and the sun and the air will be darkened. Mankind will seek death and will fail to find it. All who repent and trust in the Christ during this period will be spared further agony. These new believers will be sealed by God and protected from further satanic torment (John 8:44, 10:10, 1 John 3:8, Revelation 9:1-12),
The Sixth Trumpet:
The Euphrates
This trumpet will release four angels who are bound at the Euphrates River. One-third of humanity will die because they refuse to repent of their wickedness and will be consumed by fire, smoke, and brimstone (Rever9:13-19). Remarkably, those who survive these disasters will still refuse to turn away from idolatry. They will not repent of witchcraft, drugs, addictions, sexual perversions, murders, and thefts. The breakdown of society will prove the veil of civilization is thin. Expect looting and lawlessness on a unprecedented scale (Matthew 24;12, Revelation 9:20-21).
The Seventh Trumpet
Seven Thunders
Before the seventh trumpet sounds, the Apostle John was to,d of the secret of the seven thunders. He was not permitted to share these mysteries from the angel with the little book. At this point, there shall be no further delay and the mystery of God will soon be finished (Revelation 10:1-5. 6-7).
If you know someone who’s difficult and causes a lot of conflict in your life, you may be dealing with a person who is toxic. These people an create a lot of stress and unpleasantness for you and others not to mention emotional or physical pain. I’m sure we have all met people who are toxic or been told about them.
A toxic person is anyone who’s behavior adds negativity and upset to your life. Many times people who are toxic are dealing with their own stresses and traumas. Todo this, they act in ways that don’t present then in the best light and usually others along the way. Some might even recognize family members who are toxic.
Toxicity in people isn’t considered a mental disorder. But there could be underlying mental problems that causes someone to act in toxic ways, including personality disorders.
Sometimes we tend to just accommodate toxic people, until it becomes a serious matter of mental or physical abuse or just think that’s just the way they are. I thought I would share some warning signs to watch out for if you think you’re dealing with a toxic person. Life is to short to accept toxic people into our lives. If you can help it, try and shy away from people like this.
If you’ve experienced these feelings around someone, they may be toxic. If you constantly have these emotions, you may want to change the relationship or stop the relationship entirely.
Just like there are signs you’re around a toxic person because of how the person makes you feel, there are sign seen in person themselves that highlight their toxicity.
Inconsistency
Part of being human is having ups and downs, good times, and bad times. But a toxic person is almost never consistent. Their behavior is erratic. They don’t follow through on their commitments or promises. You never know what they will do next. This inconsistency is very hard when you’re trying to be there for someone. They can be elated with you one minute, and write you off the next.
They Always Need Your Attention
Have you noticed that a person who always need something from you? Whether it’s constant phone calls, texts, or showing up at your door, they always need emotional support. And they’re probably not being supportive to you in return. They take all that you have without giving much back. They have a heightened level of self-interest, a need to showcase their own greatness to receive affirmation.
There Is Always Drama
Have you ever noticed how drama seems to follow some people? It’s likely not a coincidence. Toxic people thrive in dramatic environments. They inflame emotions and create conflict. They love stirring the pot to see what happens. People are often toxic because they’re not interested in being stable and healthy relationships.
They Don’t Respect Your Boundaries
Another sign of a toxic person is no boundaries. If you have been clear with someone time and time again about your needs, and they just can’t help themselves and disrespect them, they are toxic. Healthy relationships are based on trust and the ability to respect boundaries. Toxic people just can’t do that,
They Manipulate Others For What They Need
If your around someone and constantly feel taken advantage of, or manipulated your probably dealing with a toxic person. This means they will do anything to get what they need. This means lying, bending the truth, exaggerating, or leaving out information so that you take a certain action or have a certain opinion about them. They will do whatever it takes, even if it means hurting people.
They Abuse Substances
Another toxic behavior is the abuse of substances, like drugs and alcohol. These behaviors become toxic when the person is continually harming other people, including themselves.
Now that you know the signs of a toxic person, both in the way you feel and they act, whether they’re a family member or not. What do you do about it?
Here are a few things I’ve learned over the years. These are a few strategies to try.
Confront Them
As soon as you notice toxic behaviors, call them out on any lies or inconsistencies. Tell them you don’t appreciate how they behave. This shows them that you’re paying attention. And your giving them an opportunity to explain themselves and apologize.
Set Stricter Boundaries
How are you feeling right now?
I’m feeling antsy today. As the summer days are dwindling down and autumn will be upon us. I am antsy to do a road trip before the weather turns cold.
When I think about it, every year about this time, I get this feeling. I absolutely love summer and get anxious about the colder seasons. I in inevitably get a little depressed at this time every year.
From Pity to Praise