Instead of an Old Testament reading today, our first reading comes from the Apocrypha and is all about Freedom of Choice. As Christians most of us have surrendered our Freedom of Choice for Freedom in Christ. Working that out in reality means often walking an emotional tightrope over a deep canyon to balance things out. ‘Freedom of Choice’ means you could lock yourself away in a Convent or Monastery, but that doesn’t really work for the Great Commission - still it is a choice for some, especially if you reach the point you can’t handle the view from the tightrope, and God would understand.

Most of us have had negative, needy people in our lives, and to turn them away when they are so needy is difficult for a compassionate Christian, Christ didn't do that and neither should we, but for our own sanity sometimes we need to step back and put strong boundaries in place. When someone in your life is constantly negative, draining your energy, constantly critizing and picking at you, then prayerfully speak to them. Ask God for a word of knowledge and insight to deal with what is really happening with them. For instance a person suffering from depression has automatic negative thinking and once you are aware of that you can counteract it's effect on you and maybe even help them, encourage them to get professional help and break the cycle of depression. But if you are dealing with someone being constantly critical of you and always putting you down, Warn them if they continue to be so negative, you will have to cut them from your life and if they don't heed the warning do so. Then you get the doubters and the distractors. Help them if you can but don't let them influence you or lead you, you need to influence them!

These are all difficult people to love and deal with, the only way to do so is to follow Jesus example, when you start to feel 'burned out', over-stressed and emotionally overwhelmed or exhausted - retreat. Your fighting spiritual darkness, if the darkness starts winning, make a tactical retreat and spend some time alone with God in prayer.

Thankfully there will also be those God will bring into your life to help you. He never expects us to do it alone! Look around there will be others he will place in your life to stand with you and help support you! Willingness to reach for help isn’t a sign of weakness, but strength. Paul spent an entire chapter in the New Testament acknowledging the people who helped him fulfil his vision. Remember our lesson a few days ago on delegation - If you’re wise you will acknowledge the things God HASN”T gifted you to do, delegate them to qualified people and work from your core strengths. May God Bless and Keep You.