Have you ever met someone and instantly had a "creeped" out feeling?
Have you known someone for years and never felt comfortable around them?
Just as we know there are good and bad people in the world, there are those that fool us every time we meet them.
I have friends and acquaintances from my childhood, some remain true, loyal and kind to me no matter what. Others that were mean to me in my youth, still are today but it's in a different way.
Seems the older we have gotten the more layered the deceit becomes. Just as I maintain a protective wall around my heart and emotions when I am in their presence, they maintain an air of superiority and false smiles.
Those people were never my true friends to begin with, so I am truly not bothered by their absence of authenticity, but rather saddened that the years have gone by without evidence of real personal growth. I am still working on mine.
The rub that comes is not with the people I have known forever, but with the new people that come into my life. There is no history so, one can be easily fooled and tricked by them.
It's called discernment, the ability to judge well. I am struggling with the failed "gut" discernment regarding two individuals I have come in contact with over the past few years.
One, is so obviously and blatantly false. A false businessperson, one who always puts themselves first above the people they represent and the duty at hand. One who lies, cheats and manipulates those around to try to make themselves look so important and respectable.
Honestly, I have met no one who truly trusts or respects this person, so I feel that my "gut" warning was spot on. I remain guarded and alert in their presence.
The second person is another businessperson who came to me in "Christian" friendship, requesting my help with their goals and dreams for their professional future.
SHOCK and AWE, once the dreams were achieved the professed "Christian" begins to act much like the other person. How could I be so wrong? Why didn't my "gut" warn me? What should I have done differently?
While I do not know the answers to these questions, I do know that where there was once like and respect, there is now the absence of trust and respect.
Who are you to others? Are you honest, truthful and kind? Do you harbor a secret desire to make others fail so that you feel better?
I continue to pray for discernment and guidance in regard to the people I meet, and the encounters presented to me when working with others.
Bringing new people into your circle can be dangerous and/or rewarding but following your "gut" instincts can sometimes lead you astray.
Be the real you with everyone you meet and always be in prayer for GOD to protect and guide you in the presence of your enemies.
The Lord shall cause your enemies who rise up against you to be defeated before you; they will come out against you one way and will flee before you seven ways. Leviticus 26:7
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