The People in Our Lives

Getting older has its advantages, like; forgetting that you have told the same story several times - to you, it is still new!  Like all good things, they stand repeating; i.e. stop running with scissors in your hand, don't stick your finger in the electrical outlet, chew your food (unless your really hungry) etc etc.  I am not sure, but I don't think I have written about this before.  So here it goes.

Most of you who know me know I like numbers, math, statistics.  I have always liked taking complicated things and making them as simple as me.  With that, there are four types of people in our lives, those who are:

1)  Adders;  These people we are attracted to, make great friends and help us become "better" at who we are with what we have.  Seek these people out.  If you are married, this should be your spouse.

Gen 2:18 NLT  Then the LORD God said, "It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper who is just right for him."

2)  Subtracters;  Now I am not talking about people whom occasionally exhibit these behaviors, we all do. I am talking about people who consistently act this way.  These people are a drain, a slow leak that "draws us away" from that which is really important.  In itself is not a big deal, but after time becomes very annoying.  We have a tendency to put a lot of effort into these people, usually much
more than we should.  Effort equates to time and this is quite frankly time lost.  I can hear you already; "Ernie, these people need someone to listen to them. help them, encourage them - should we just abandon them?"  My response to your outburst is - I didn't say to not listen, help or encourage, nor abandon.  I just want you to recognize who is who in your life.  I will say that the real help these people need (if they are consistently this way) will not come from you.

Act 20:30 AMP  Even from among your own selves men will come to the front who, by saying perverse (distorted and corrupt) things, will endeavor to draw away the disciples after them [to their own party].

3)  Multipliers;  These people are rare.  Most of us will never have one of these people in our lives, however everyone of us need this person in our lives?  This is a person who doesn't just make or help you to become "better", this someone who should be able to transform you into something different.  Not a better you, but a new you!

Rom 12:2 NLT  Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God's will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.


4) Dividers;  These people are a cancer, left unchecked and unchallenged these people will destroy and business, any team, any church and any family.  Personally, I believe they do it on purpose.  Why? because they are either very very dysfunctional or manipulated by satan himself or both.  You laugh?

1Pe 5:8 NLT  Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.


Now that we know what there are, do you know who they are?  Which one are you?

Blessings

ernie