People seldom complain, "My enemy slandered me, and turned my bestie against me."

Newsflash: Your enemy didn't turn your bestie against you because your bestie was already against you. You were just oblivious to her impeccable, deceptive acting skills. What you're experiencing from the shocking betrayal is a revelation: Your bestie's mask is falling off, and her "true" colors are coming to the surface.

So, look at it this way: your slanderous enemy did you a huge favor. How so? She aided your bestie in revealing her deceptive intentions toward you. Your enemy managed to choke out the truth from your bestie.

For this reason, your bestie can finally relax around you, and be her true, authentic self. Being perpetually deceptive while concealing the truth is daunting, so she's tired.

Imagine the discomfort that comes with keeping up a facade. So, the pressure to perform is released once the person's mask drops. Lesson: Don't be bitter against your enemy, but be grateful they helped you uncover the truth about your bestie.

From personal experiences, I've learned that enemies lack the integrity required to sustain genuine friendship. And, they'll mercilessly inflict harm on those they despise. Enemies possess a self-serving nature, and are antagonistic toward the object of their envy. Their ultimate goal is to destroy you using evil plots and schemes.

Conversely, friends exemplify mutual respect, honesty, dedication, and undying loyalty. They love you unconditionally beyond your flaws and mistakes. Friends build you up because they have your best interests at heart. They're there for you, even when the ebbs and flows of life attempt to crush your spirit. Because I've realized that "true" friends are hard to find and foes are plentiful, I was inspired to craft a quote about this subject:

Quote+ Bible Verse

Wisdom quote: "Like diamonds, true friends are a rarity. Conversely, foes are always in abundant supply."

Bible verse: "All that hate me whisper together against me: against me do they devise my hurt. An evil disease, say they, cleaveth fast unto him: and now that he lieth he shall rise up no more. Yea, mine own familiar friend, in whom I trusted, which did eat of my bread, hath lifted up his heel against me." Psalms 41:7-9

#creations #quotes #creative #advice #lessons #wisdom #ethics

Copyright© Charlene Shelmire, 2024

When a person's moral convictions are sound and unwavering, they're adamant about being authentic, and consistent. Morally upright individuals adhere to high standards of integrity, and follow the path of righteousness. They refuse to cower under peer pressure nor deviate from it.

However, in a moment of weakness, they could abandon their moral convictions and succumb to the deceptive tactics used in manipulation.

Strong moral convictions don't collapse under pressure because their foundation is rock solid.

Therefore, it can't be penetrated, shaken, altered, or eradicated. This subject is the inspiration behind the following quote about moral convictions.

Quote+ Bible Verse

Wisdom quote: "Only weak-minded people are easily controlled and persuaded to commit unethical acts against their moral convictions. However, strong-minded use sound judgment, make logical decisions, and stick to their moral convictions."

Bible verse: "The righteousness of the perfect shall direct his way: but the wicked shall fall by his own wickedness. The righteousness of the upright shall deliver them: but transgressors shall be taken in their own naughtiness." Proverbs 11:5-5-6

#creations #quotes #creative #advice #lessons #wisdom #ethics

Copyright© Charlene Shelmire, 2024

A friend of mine solicited advice from a colleague about whether they should accept a recruiter's offer of a new career opportunity.

The colleague provided not only advice but also speculations about the integrity of the recruiter. The friend never investigated the slander to find out its validity and impulsively took the suspicious colleague's advice.

Unfortunately, the friend heeded the harmful advice and accepted it as factual, but later discovered that the slander and speculations were unfounded and completely false about the recruiter. This wrong move eventually sabotaged a new career opportunity, ruined established connections, and hindered her career growth potential.

Based on my friend's regrettable decision, I came up with the following life lesson quote:

Quote+ Bible Verse

Wisdom quote: "Smart people reject the counsel of unwise people who mistake discernment for paranoia. When you heed the negative advice from the wrong people, you prematurely block your blessings and close the doors to new opportunities that were constructed and tailor-made just for you."

Bible verse: “Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful." Psalms 1:1

#lifelessons #advice #careeradvice #wisdom
Copyright© Charlene Shelmire, 2023

Do you know anyone who copies others, and makes everything a competition?

As Christians, this isn't walking in integrity, and reveals the condition of the individual's heart. This negative behavior confirms their lack of gratitude for the gifts and talents God has already bestowed upon them. When

trying to outdo others out of a malicious heart, it reveals an insecure person who has yet to discover who they are in Christ.

Driven by fear, they abandon their own talents to prove they are better than the next individual and feel better about themselves. Perhaps they were overlooked or devalued as children, but they cope by proving they are worthy of recognition. These individuals are constantly competitive against the objects of their envy, so they'll stop at nothing to outdo them.

For example, the competitive individual notices the next-door neighbor's newly purchased car. The other neighbors are impressed and congratulate the neighbor's car purchase. This then triggers the competitive neighbor's insecurity and leads them to think, “If they bought a new car, so can I.” They feel compelled to prove their worth and do whatever it takes to receive admiration and attention, even if it puts them in debt.

Sometimes, they're forced to pick up a second job to "one-up" their neighbor. So, they'll not only buy a newer model, but it must be top of the line, fully loaded, and the same color as well. It's a powerplay to place their tormenting thoughts of inadequacy to rest. Although competitive individuals admire others,they also envy what they don’t have.

What can you do? Pray for these individuals to discover their identities in Christ and become content with what they have. Empathize with them and realize that we all may struggle with some form of insecurity, from time to time. Realize their desperate need for attention and low self-esteem means there's an internal struggle within them that only God can fix. The emotionally undeveloped individual will eventually get tired of chasing their tail, while searching for something that can only be resolved internally.

Extending grace is helpful; however, once it becomes toxic, God will have to intervene to bring emotional healing to them, while reminding them that their gifts will make room for you.

“A man's gift maketh room for him, and bringeth him before great men.” Proverbs 18:16

Quote+Bible Verse

Wisdom quote: "Stop seeking validation; embrace your individuality and show integrity in your relationships with others."

Bible verse: “Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.” Philippians 2:3

#lifelessons #advice #careeradvice #wisdom
Copyright© Charlene Shelmire, 20243