If you're happy and you know it...

There are people out there who are life takers. No, I'm not talking about serial killers, I'm talking about your every day person who comes around and drains the life out of others. We all know at least one of these people. When they show up at your door you want to hide out like no one's home to avoid talking to them. When they call your cell phone you quickly press the "ignore" button. When you see them at the mall you duck behind a clothing rack praying they didn't see you first. Yes, we all know at least one. They are all talk and no listen. Preying on your sympathy...devouring your positive outlook...demolishing your perfectly good mood. They are selfish and self serving. The last thing they want to do is hear about your problems or concerns, however, they are more than happy to dump their issues on you.

Personally, I'm not a "feel-sorry-for-myself" kind of guy. I don't like dwelling on negative things. I'm a compartmentalizer. I can take a negative and store it deep in the back of my brain...and because I try not to think very often...those negatives tend to get lost back there and never come up again. I don't like feeling sorry for myself, therefore I don't like feeling sorry for you either. I'll listen and try to help but after awhile I just want to say "GET OVER IT!...SNAP OUT OF IT!...MAN UP!...QUIT FEELING SORRY FOR YOURSELF!!!", but I digress.

I don't enjoy dealing with these types of people but sometimes it is absolutely necessary. I have to put on my delicate gloves and treat them to a good ol' fashioned pity party. I'll only do this a limited number of times, mind you, because pity partys are the worst kind of party possible. Eventually I will say ENOUGH with the pity partys, lets go out and have fun! Lets get through one conversation, one day even, without discussing the reason behind your pitifulness. Look, I get it, you're depressed because your girlfriend left, your dog died, you don't look quite how you think you should, you're addicted to this or that, your parents don't love you, you don't like your job, you don't make enough money...blah...blah...blah. You are not unique in your problems, though. You're not the only one that has feelings like that, the difference is you choose to let your problems define you where I do not.

What do you see when you look in the mirror? Do you see your problems or your successes? Do you see the moment or the big picture? Do you see hope or despair?


Jeremiah 29:11-13
11 "I know the plans I have for you," announces the Lord. "I want you to enjoy success. I do not plan to harm you. I will give you hope for the years to come. 12 Then you will call out to me. You will come and pray to me. And I will listen to you. 13 When you look for me with all your heart, you will find me.