How Accurate Is The Bible?

That is a question many have asked after hearing a college professor tell his class, that the Bible was filled with inaccuracies so, it was not trustworthy. It is understandable that some individuals (or groups) are motivated to discredit the Bible, and it is understandable that an unbelieving professor stepped outside out of his expertise. But how should we respond to the 400,000 variants in the Bible? Can we really trust the Bible? To answer this question, we need to start by understanding the One who wrote the Bible. We need to understand the character of God.

What is God Like?

The character of God is the only real reason we can trust the Bible to speak the truth. Most critics are not aware they have a faulty assumption that colors their view of the Bible. Here’s how most people view God.

Psalm 50:21 states. “ You thought that I was just like you.

God speaks boldly in this verse. He Is not like us. He does not make mistakes. He does not need Encyclopedia Britannica, the Library of Congress, or a news reporter to help him understand something or to collect information. He already knows everything and the book of Numbers tells us why we can trust Him when He speaks or writes.

Numbers 23:19. “God is not a man, that He should lie, nor a son of man, that He should repent; Has He said, and will He not do it? Or had He spoken, and will He not make it good?

And,

Hebrews 6:18 says “ in order that by two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie.

The Mystery Of God

For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways. And my thoughts than your thoughts. (Isaiah 55:8-9)

God Wrote The Bible. 2 Timothy 3:16 tells us that God wrote the Bible.

All Scripture is inspired by God.

The word inspired comes from a Greek word that means “God Breathed.” That is God “breathed” the words that were to be written. He wrote all 66 books, all 1189 chapters and all 31,173 verses in the Bible. This is an easy task for an omnipotent God. He is not like us – He does not grow tired ( Isaiah 40:28), and He does not sleep ( Psalm 121:14), He does not lie (Numbers 23:19). That is why we can trust what He wrote.

The Voice Of God

How do we know the Bible was written by God? Several years ago I asked a friend and also a believer. Why he believed the Bible was true. He told me that he knew God was real by the experienced he had and by how God had helped him. I told Him about the different so-called religions that thought their god is the true one think about that. If experience is the test of truth, then they were all correct? If so, we have a problem. How do we then know that God is speaking to us in the Bible?

The answer is already given to us in the Bible. Read Deuteronomy 18:20-22.

But the prophet who shall speak a word presumptuously in My name which I have not commanded him to speak or which he shall speak in the name of others gods, that prophets shall die. “ And you may say in your heart, How shall we know the word which the Lord has spoken?” “When a prophet speaks in the name of the Lord, if the thing does not come about or come true, that is the thing which does not come true, that is the thing which the Lord has not spoken. The prophet has spoken it presumptuously, you shall not be afraid of him.
Fulfilled prophecy is a sign that God has spoken in the Bible. The Bible is the only secured book that contains future predictions that have come true. It is a very unique book with 747 prophecies recorded in about 8,500 verses. That is about 25% of the Bible. The prophecies occur in both the Old Testament and New Testament Apostles, and Jesus all made those about the future. They have come true except for those which are future. The Bible is also a book of history whose facts are being proven to be true with almost every archaeological finding. The Bible is accurate when it speaks to history, and when it makes predictions, they come true. It is Truth.

The Signature of God

The Bible contains a number of fascinating proofs that absolutely authenticate the Scriptures as the authoritative Word of God. The evidence from hundreds of fulfilled prophecies from one of the strongest and most obvious proofs of divine inspiration. – Grant R Jeffrey.

What Is The Role Of The Holy Spirit?

The Bible teaches that the Holy Spirit is one of three persons in the trinity. ( Acts 5:3-4) He is fully God, just as God the Father and Jesus are. The Bible also teaches that He convicts people of sin, righteousness, and judgment. He helps Christians to understand the Bible. ( 1 Corinthians 2:12-14) pray (Romans 8:26-27), and to have victory over sin. (Galatians 5:16+23; Ephesians 5:18,, He also give believers spiritual gifts and ministers to believers here on earth in so many different ways. This is the Holy Spirit’s ministry today.

But the question is “What is the role of the Holy Spirit?” What does He do in heaven?

Holy Spirit Within The Trinity

There are four important statements about the Holy Spirit that are found in the gospel of John 14:16. It reveals that within the trinity God the Father has the authority to send a Helper.

“I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may be with you forever...” - John 14:16.

The Scriptures teach that God the Father is the master planner. For example, in the Lord’s Prayer (Matthew 6:9-14) Jesus taught the disciples to pray that God the Father cause His Kingdom to occur soon. He urged the disciples to ask that His will wound be done on earth as in heaven. Jesus also taught that the Father is the one who provides for our needs and forgives our sins. Ephesians 1:3-5 reveals that God the Father planned who would be saved. In summary, God the Father is the master planner within the trinity. So, Jesus said that He would ask the Father to send the Holy Spirit.

While it says God planned who would be saved. I believe we can change God’s heart by praying and asking for mercy. Read Matthew 15:27. Even if God chooses who will be saved. If you have faith as small as a mustard seed it will grow into something so much larger.

John 14:16 echos the truth that God the Father would send the Helper, who is the Holy Spirit.

“But the Helper,the Holy Spirit, whom the Fsther will send in My name, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you.” - John 14:26.

In John 16:7, Jesus repeats the point that theHoly Spirit is subject to Christ.

“But I tell you the truth,it is to your advantage that I go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I go, I wupil send Him to you.” - John 16:7

These verses teach that the Holy Spirit’s ministry today is to believers here on earth. This is the ministry that God the Father and Christ have given Him to perform today,

Role of the Holy Spirit In Heaven

So, what is the role of the Holy Spirit in heaven? The explicit answer is not given to us, we could say that His role In heaven is to obey the Father and Christ within the trinity. God the Father has the authority, Christ and the Holy Spirit are subject to Him. The Holy Spirit also submits to Jesus. Jesus is or Savior and the Lord, and the Holy Spirit is our Helper. He helps believers here on earth.

The Summary

The Holy Spirit has a ministry here on earth and it is to believers. However, Scripture does not give us any informational to His role I. heaven. Whatever the Holy Spirit’s role in heaven, it is in cooperation with submission to God the Father and Christ.

Becoming Peacemakers

One of the key facets of Scripture is how vividly the biblical writers paint the picture of God modeling the right way to seek peace.

When we offend God with our disobedience. He took the initiative to reconcile a relationship with us through His Son’s death on the cross. Through Jesus’ sacrifice and salvation, we are no longer subject to our defensive reactions to shut down. Instead, we have access to His peace, which makes being a peacemaker possible.

If we look at the original text in Matthew 5:3-10, we see the word for peace means harmony, security, and rest. These words that define peace remain and me of the things Jesus brings into our lives. Because we follow Him, He gives us the ability to make peace. When we do. He promises we will be called Children of God. We can be a representation of the peace He gives,

So, when Jesus said we are “blessed” when we bring peace, it is because being a peacemaker allows us to represent the depth of who He is as His children.

Some people will go to great lengths to prove themselves right. Pride and arrogance convince them that laying aside differences is a sign of weakness. But if we can catch God’s vision of what it looks like to be a peacemaker – to bring harmony, security and rest to a difficult situation it will allow us to feel secure and at rest in the midst of conflict. We can stand confident as Children of God.

As we let go of petty incidents and issues, we are peacemakers. When we are the first to say, “I’m sorry,” we give peace. When we talk calmly, rather than yelling, we bring peace to situations. By learning to give peace we receive peace from Jesus, His peace flows through our lives.

Being a peacemaker can be challenging and may not come naturally. Especially when you sit and engage at close proximity to loved one this Christ. But may we be reminded today and every day that in conflict we have the capacity to bring resolutions of peace. We can bring harmony, security and rest because Jesus’s death and resurrection gave that to us.

What Is A Prayer Warrior?

We do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but it’s rulers, but against authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places (Ephesians 6:12)

What is a prayer warrior?

We live amid a battle of spiritual warfare between forces of good and evil. Although we are in combat against the powers of darkness, we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us. (Philippians 4:13) We are empowered in prayer by the guidance and protection of God. By living in faith through prayer In the spiritual war, we become a prayer warrior.

God calls all believers to fight in a spiritual battle battles That are steadily occurring, or evil intent suffering God works to restore it for righteous purposes. Those who say yes to god call – Prayer Warriors partake in the worlds most significant work. Prayer warriors recognize the battle and take action by coming before God.

Do not be anxious for anything but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your request be known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6-7)

Ephesians 6:10-20

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the full armor of God, That you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood but against the rulers against the authorities against the cosmic powers over this present darkness against spiritual forces of evil in heavenly places. Yeah or take up your whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Standing therefore, having fast and the belt of truth and putting on the rest later righteousness and, a huge for your feet, having put on the ready – given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one. And take the helmet of salvation, the sword of the spirit, which is the word of God, praying all times in the spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that even keep alert with all perseverance making supplication for all the saints, that words may be given to me and opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains,And I may declare it boldly, and I ought to speak.

How to be a prayer warrior

Understand that there is a war and that you are in it. Like it or not, all of us are caught up in a spiritual war that’s taking place between good and evil. If you don’t engage in the war, you will still be affected by it – and you’ll be very much more vulnerable do you evil than you would if you decided to fight as God calls you to do. So be active, not passive. Engage in spiritual warfare with confidence that God‘s power is working through you is greater than any evil working against you.Your prayers can help prevent bad things from happening to people and a few good things into peoples lives. Listen to the Holy Spirit prompting for guidance about how best to pray for what’s most needed and then pray to advance God’s kingdom on earth and stop the spread of evil.

Know Your Commander and Stand on His Side

Your commander in spiritual warfare is Jesus Christ, who leads two armies: The army and holy angels in heaven and the army of prayer warriors on earth. Jesus choose you, Saves you, give you an Eternal inheritance of blessings, and lives in your soul as the Holy Spirit. Do you just want you to choose a side in the spiritual war, and to remember that the power He gave you is more powerful than evil. You are commander Jesus is the greatest example of a prayer warrior; By studying his life on earth you can learn how to serve God without fear.

Recognize who your true enemy is

Your enemy is Satan, the highest rank in the fallen Angels who rebelled against God. Satan is your adversary, accuser, tempter, and deceiver. He works by trying to convince you to doubt God’s truth and believe his lies instead. You open the door for the enemy to attack you whenever you deliberately disobey God and choose to sin. It’s vital to run away from the temptation to sin and pray against Satan’s plans to hurt you and other people.

Be certain of your authority in prayer

Jesus has given you authority to free in his name and you know that He will answer your prayers accordingly to God’s will and at the right time. Be confident that you can pray for usher God’s power in any situation.

Bible Verses about the Power Of Prayer

James 5:16. “Therefore, a better sense do you want another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is workin.”

2 Chronicles 7:14. “If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and I will forgive their sin and heal their land.”

Romans 8:26-27. “ likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. And he who searches hearts knows the mind of the spirit, because the spirit intercedes for the Saints according to the will of God.”

2 Corinthians 10:4-5. “ For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every laughter your opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ.”

John 15:7. “ if you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish and it will be done for you.”

Are You On The Road To Heaven?

I was doing some reading today and came across a survey done by Lifeway Research in 2020, I found interesting. I showed that 85% of Americans believe there is something more to life than this percent world. That means one out of every 170 people think that when they die, they will cease to exist.

Our life experiences have taught us the principle of cause and effect. We understand that something causes something else to happen. Therefore, we understand that something does not come from nothing. So, when people think about the universe, they realize the universe did not just pop into existence from nothing. Those who want us to believe the universe exploded into existence from some subatomic particles cannot explain from where those particles came, The truth is intelligent people understand that there is something we do not understand. There is something beyond us. Most of us believe there is more to life than this present world.

Another study reported that 80% of Americans believe in heaven and 67% believe in hell. They also reported the 84% of Americans believe they are going to heaven when they die. The study also reported that the majority of atheists believe there is something beyond this life. They just don’t know what it is. So, 85% of Americans believe there is something more in life than this present world and 80% believe in heaven.

The Wide Gate And The Narrow Gate

I want to ask you a question, “Do you also think you are going to heaven? Most people think they are going to heaven, including everyone who thinks they are a Christian. But the sad truth is that Jesus said that is not true. If you think about Jesus’s teaching in the Sermon on the Mount about a wide road and a narrow road. His illustration can be found in Matthew 7:13-14. There Jesus said,

Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide Where is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it. For the gauge is small and the way you narrow that leads to life, and there are a few who find it.

In this illustration, the gates are adjusted to the size of the roads. The second gate is wide and so is the road. That road leads to “destruction” The Greek word for destruction can also be translated as “ruin” or “wasted.” People on that road will be ruined, it refers to hell. The first gate is narrow or small. The Greek word for narrow is different in verse 14. It is thlibo. It refers to a compressed way or a difficult path. It is like a road with high cliffs on each side. Jesus’s message is that this road is difficult to travel. Yet, it is the only one that leads to life – eternal life. Now Jesus did not use this word justo make the illustration interesting, He wants us to know what life is like for anyone who travels this road. Then He added there are few who find it. So, are you almost on the road to heaven? Or are you traveling this road? There are several reasons why people think they are on the road to eternal life.

Seeking Jesus With Wrong Motives

The one reason some people think they are on the road to heaven is that they believe in Jesus, but they came to Jesus with wrong motives. For example, I have known at least 3 people who have said they became a Christian because then God would make them wealthy. Later they were unhappy with God because money was not flowing into their bank account. Other people have claimed to become Christians believing that God would fix their marriage, finances, sickness, give them mental peace, or help them have a joyful life. Some people have been deceived into thinking that God would bless them in some other way if they just became a Christian. Sim who would be so stupid as to reject that type of offer! Sadly they missed what John. 6;26-27 tells us,

Jesus answered them and said, “Truly, truly, I say to you, you seek Me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate of the loaves and were filled. Do not work for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you, for on Him the Father God, has set His seal.”

This passage tells us that Jesus was speaking to a group of people who had seen Jesus’s miracle of the feeding of the five thousand. After the miracle, Jesus escaped from their presence and later these people found Him. In this passage we are told they were seeking Jesus in order to have their personal wants satisfied. Notice Jesus rebuked them for only one season. They were seeking Him with the wrong motives. This is a biblical illustration that illustrates there are wrong reasons to seek Jesus. Now let me ask you, ‘ What was your motivation for wanting to become a Christian?

The reason such people are not on the road to heaven is that their faith in Jesus is not real. In 1 Corinthians 15:2, the Apostle Paul warned the people attending the church in the ancient city of Corinth that they might have vain faith. Here is Paul’s warning.

...by which also you are saved, if you hold fast the word which I preached to you, unless you believed in vain.

When Paul said they might have vain faith he meant their faith did not save them. That is, you can have faith in Christ, but it may not save you. The verses that follow suggest that those with vain faith did not fully understand the facts of the gospel – why Christ died and was resurrected.

One example of vain faith is found in Acts 8:13 it tells us about a man named Simon Magus. We are to,d he believed in Christ and was baptized. But in verse 20, Peter said Simon Magus was going to perish. Peter’s comment reveals Simon Magus did not have saving faith. His faith was not real. He wanted to use the power of the Holy Spirit like some magic trick. He had the wrong motivation for professing faith in Christ. Sadly, many people profess to be a Christian for the wrong reason,

Seeking Jesus With Correct Motives

So what is the correct reason to become a Christian? The correct reason is to have one’s sins forgiven. In the next two verses Paul explained the essence of true faith. He said,

For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, 1 Corinthians 15:3-4

Paul’s message is that true faith believes Christ died for our sins. True faith believes Christ was also resurrected and responds by wanting one’s sins to be forgiven. These people are the ones who are on the narrow road to eternal life.

True Christians Regularly Confess Their Sins

So, how can you know if you are on the narrow road to eternal life? What is the evidence? Notice that in Matthew 7:17-20, Jesus said that we can know those who are on the road to eternal life by their faults. Therefore m I want to talk about one fruit that will exist if you are on that road. 1 John 1:6-10 gives us a very important sign that will exist if you are a Christian. We will start with 1 John 1:6-7 which says,

If we say that we have fellowship with Him and yet walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth; but if we walk in the Light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His son cleanses us from all sin.

Here the Apostle John is referring to people who think they are a Christian , but they had deceived themselves. That is what he means by “If we say we have fellowship with Him, and yet we walk in darkness.” Then in verse 7, he compares walking in darkness to walking in the Light. This helps us understand that the Apostle is referring to people who think they are Christian but are also constantly sinning. That is they are indifferent to their sins. If they are indifferent to their sins, then they are liars, They are not Christians.

Types Of Wisdom

There are three types of wisdom that the Bible covers.

Solomon never asked for wisdom, but it was wisdom that he was asking for but he never mentioned the the word wisdom, but he defined it, he explained the function of wisdom.

I believe many of you realize that you cannot do without wisdom, and that without wisdom you can’t do anything? You see when we Wisdom we have to understand what it is and also you have to understand what it is not. Wisdom is not thinking it is different from thinking. I would rather call it divine reasoning. Reasoning which is beyond thinking reasoning that is divine.

Wisdom is a heavenly commodity. There are three types of wisdom. The first wisdom which is the most important is the godly wisdom then earthly wisdom and then satanic wisdom. There is a need for you to know the difference in the three kinds of wisdom, so you know exactly which one to choose.

So when you pray and you are asking God for wisdom, you have to be specific, you have to really point out which one exactly are you asking God for because the other one is satanic, only the devil can give that one to you.

It is important to know what it is you believe in. from 1 Kings 3, Can you write a meaning or definition of wisdom, Which is the ability to know the meaning and the difference.

If want to know what it wisdom is, it is an ability to discern the difference, knowing the difference that’s wisdom. I will give you the. three definitions. The simplest that you can never forget it’s found The book of Job chapter 28 verse 28: “And unto man he said behold, fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; and To depart from evil is understanding. You can’t forget that one. The fear of the Lord that is wisdom. The fear of the Lord is wisdom.”

When a person fears God, it is a sign that he has wisdom. And the fear there, it’s a fear the word there is the same word as a reference. When you revere God, when you honor God, you respect God, that fear is a result of wisdom. So any person no matter how influential he is, as long as they don’t fear God, it’s a clear sign that they just don’t have wisdom. They might have another type of wisdom which is not godly.For you know that you have godly wisdom you see it by the way you respect God For you know that you have Godly wisdom you see it by the way you respect God. Another definition Is the ability to make the right judgment. Wisdom also is the ability to know the difference. It’s an ability to know the difference in people, the difference in situation, the difference in anything you look at.

That ability to know the difference, if you have two friends, if I give you a chance right now to explain the difference can you explain it? That ability is wisdom, between two opinions, between two choices, that ability to know the difference is wisdom. And also to make the right judgment in Escalante 8:1, It says which is to know the interpretation of a thing that’s is wisdom that’s judgment.

So you look at something and you can discern the difference, you have two options, no apply for two jobs and both of them are available for you. Which one should you go for? Do you just look at the salary? do you just focus on the benefits? That calls for wisdom now you know the difference between anything that you look at.

For certain jobs that give you money today but they will not give you anything more than money. You are there just a few months when you begin to realize I should’ve gone for the other job, but during the moment decision wisdom was not available, It wasn’t present to assist you and help you make the right decision, So knowing the difference is wisdom.

Looked at anything, no matter the two things look alike, but it’s rude that discerning ability you can look at two things and you can tail that there is a difference and yet most of the people can’t see the difference, but you can tell that there is a difference. What is the difference? And wisdom will help you describe it and explain the difference that you were seeing.

So you can see right from that point that it is important even before you make a decision to have that discerning spirit do you know exactly what it is that you are shooting before you Start regretting, so wisdom is needed when you were making your decisions and when you are making choices.

Solomon never asked for wisdom, but it was wisdom that he was asking for but he never mentioned a word wisdom, but he defined it, and explain the function of wisdom. Give me an understanding heart to discern between bad and good. Andrew making the right decision in the right judgment.

Do you know that there are many judgments that we do on a daily basis? You can agree with me that even before you bought that shirt that you were wearing it was some kind of engagement, right? If you bought it from a shop, there were several other shirts that were there,and then that one was different from another one and then you judged, And based on the judgment you bought the one that you have.

So we are making judgments on a daily basis no matter that are coming to us that are brought to our attention, We are making judgments even when you hear something about someone, before you can’t believe it you have to first and foremost make a judgment.

But this is what I want to look at now which is very important, a scripture in the book of Ecclesiastes again, I want you to see something there chapter 7:10: “Say not thou, what is the cause that the former days were better than these? For thou doesn’t not enquire wisely concerning this.”

These words are coming from a wise man. He’s advising you to never say. Say not thou, so this is something you should never say. No matter what happens you should never say say what? What is the cars that the former days are better than these? This is something that you have already said, am I right on that one? What a girl

Emotionally Draining People In Your Life

Friendships are important – not only for our social wellness but also for our emotional, mental, and physical wellness and health. Being around good friends, we feel energized and happy but what if you have friends that are emotionally draining and your energy begins draining and spending time with them leaves you feeling exhausting and stressed out. Then it time to rethink your friendships.

All of us need an outlet, a comforting touch, or a shoulder to cry on when life deals us a challenging hand. Turning to friends and family for comfort seems like a good solution but many times, it can be one sided where one person only vents and the other only comforts.

If you’re the outlet, the shoulder others lean on, it can increase your Rick to develop second-hand anxiety. Helping people we care about, showing compassion, and empathy is good but when your friend’s stress and anxiety becomes your stress and anxiety, it can quickly leave you feeling emotionally and mentally exhausted.

Friend who drain your energy are people who are emotional wrecks almost all the time whenever they are in your company. Even if you aren’t face to face with then, these friends will still leave you feeling low on energy and exhausted.

Here are some signs you can look for to know if your friends are emotionally draining you or not:

  • Your friendship leaves you feeling tired. One of the biggest signs of emotionally draining friends Is that whenever you’re on their company – after you leave then – you feel tired, emotionally, mentally, and physically.
  • You regularly make sacrifices. You often make sacrifices to make sure they are happy, they rarely care about your happiness and needs.
  • Your positive feelings towards them are gradually vanishing, Emotionally draining friends often make you feel anxious and irritated, which in turn, may cause the positive and happy feelings you once had for your friend to disappear with time,
  • You censor your words around them. More often than not, with emotionally draining friends,Nyoman seem to censor your words, thoughts, and ideas. You are hesitant to open up about your feeling fearing their reaction.
  • You can’t ask them for advice. As I mentioned earlier, friends who drain your energy are often emotional messes around you. With them constantly venting their problems, you never get an opportunity to ask them for advice or even their support.
  • You don’t particularly enjoy talking to them. When talking to a friend leaves you low on energy, you feel hesitant to talk to them and even if you do, you don’t enjoy their company.
  • Your friend rarely asks about you. While they constantly vent about the problems in their life to you, they rarely make any effort to know more about your life and health.
  • Your friend is rarely there when you need them. When it comes to venting and asking for advice on problems, you’re always there for them but when you need support or their company, they are rarely there, if ever.
  • Your friend uses guilt when you can’t be there for them. Emotionally draining friends will use manipulation, guilt, or the silent track to make you feel bad for not being there for them when they asked.
  • Your friend loving being the center of attention. Talking to your friend is difficult because the want to be the center of attention and want to steer the conversation towards themselves. This makes you feel dissatisfied and tired.

Here are some effective and healthy ways to deal with emotionally draining friends, co-workers, or relatives:

Set Boundaries

One of the first thing you need to do is set some healthy boundaries. Limit the time you spend with them. If they have a habit of calling you late at night, let them know that while you’re there for them they need to set a time for when they can call you. I do not answer my phone after 8pm.

In the long run, boundaries matter for Maintain a healthy friendship.

Be Honest And Direct

Now that you’ve established your boundaries. It is time, to be honest, and direct with your friend. Communication is key here. Make your friend aware of you noun, of your limits. Most of the time, people are not even aware that they might be using you as a emotional dumping ground. Talk to them, be polite but firm.

Avoid Fixing Their Problems

Your friend needs to understand that while you’re there for them, you are not there to solve or fix problems in their life. You can comfort them, take them out to dinner, have coffee with them, but you cannot become their therapist. Offer them help but let them fix their problems on their own.

Offer Them An Alternative

If you can’t fix their problems, offer them an alternative. Explain to them how their emotional problems are affecting you and offer then sources, information, or suggest a professional who can help them to learn how to cope with their emotions and stress.

Remember, a friend does not equal a therapist.

Keep Your Distance

If it’s a close friend, this can be a little difficult. However, for your better mental and emotional health, distancing yourself from a friend that leaves you feeling exhausted and drained is important. Emotionally distancing yourself from someone you care about is hard but your mental peace is important.

Remember Your Peace matters.

True Peace Is Possible

Have you ever heard “There will never be any peace until we’re all laid to rest?” I’m sure we all know what is meant by this statement.

Life can be a struggle. At times, it is easier to despair over finding peace when trouble seems to jump from the corner.

When difficult times come, many emotions rule our heart and mind. Peace is usually the emotion we sense the least when life turns tipsy-turvy. But this is not God’s plan.

Apostle Paul writes to the church in Colossians and shares how it’s God’s will for the Heavenly Peace is a state of tranquillity or quiet amidst thoughts and emotions. It speaks of freedom from external pressures.

The kind of peace God gives remains. It’s not something that comes and goes depending on our circumstances. Divine peace should govern our lives in all things at all times. When the things of life haunt us – that pile of bills, unexpected expenditure, anxious feelings of inadequacy we long for peace.

Paul says that the peace of Christ gives is fully satisfying. It’s peace of mind, heart, body, and soul. It’s contentment knowing you are in the care of God. Sadly, it’s our sinful, selfish nature that tries to obtain peace by our own efforts. Sometimes we try to persuade God with promises.

If we don’t actively seek God’s help when we’re afraid or facing trouble, we’re probably trusting in our own resources and abilities. In times of doubt and fear, let peace rule.