Generally speaking, I’m not an avid watcher of TV preachers.  Not because I think they are all evil swindlers out to get my money.  In fact, I think there are a few that are quite inspiring.  But I usually only end up watching them on occasion… whenever I happen to remember to turn it on in the background on a Sunday morning.  (Plus, I don’t currently have cable TV, so my brain sort of “forgets” about most TV these days…)

But recently, while house-sitting for a friend, I remembered to turn on the two that I usually watch back-to-back when I do watch, Joel Osteen and Elevation.  And wouldn’t you know it… just like it always does, it turns out that God had something to say to me.

This is an important note to make here… I don’t watch to see what Joel or Steven have to say.  I will watch to see what GOD has to say, through Joel or Steven.  And boy, does He let me know when He has something to say!

That morning, both of their sermons were discussing “peace stealers.”  They were presented in slightly different ways, but the underlying message of both was the same – Do NOT let anyone steal your joy.  Whether the thief is one of your friends or Satan himself.

Most recently, I could relate to the Enemy trying to steal my joy – whispering all kinds of lies and false beliefs into my mind morning and night, trying to get me to doubt some of the good things I have going.  And he was almost succeeding… until God pulled back the curtain and revealed what was happening.

But the other part of the message – that about friends and family members stealing your joy – I could relate there too.  Several times in my life, I have had friends that I have had to walk away from (or at least back away from) because they were stealing my joy.  And what I loved most about the words that Joel was sharing, is that he kept stressing that doing this does NOT make you a bad person.

Of course, I know this now and don’t even really worry about it anymore.  But I do find that I continually have to reassure my friends who are going through similar situations that it is okay for them too.

If someone is continuously laying all of their dramas, negativity, burdens and toxicity on you, every time you interact with them… chances are, they are a peace stealer.

Sure, as friends, you should help one another out.  Lend a listening ear and a helping hand when you can.  And stick together through the thick and thin.  I wholeheartedly believe that.

BUT it is an entirely different situation when the road does not go both ways.  When the other person is constantly taking, taking, taking from you and is not there to support you in return.  It is different when you are finding yourself suffering emotional and physical implications from the turmoil they are continuously bringing into your life.  It is different when you are constantly trying to offer them assistance and support, but they don’t want to take it, because they enjoy wallowing in their muck.

Those are peace stealers my friends, and it is OKAY to walk away from them.

Now, you don’t have to completely desert them.  Particularly if they are a close friend or you’ve known them for a long time.  You may still want to maintain the relationship on some level, but you may need to set up some boundaries.

The suggestion Joel made that I loved was setting up “office hours.”  It may sound silly, but it is so true.  He mentioned if you are having quality time with your spouse and children after working a long day, and the phone rings and you know it will be a call filled with an hour or two of drama that will bring you down… don’t answer it.  Tell them you are only available certain times of the day and stick to it.

It may sound harsh, but let me stress again, I’m not talking about someone who is dealing with terminal illness or getting over the loss of a loved one.  I am talking about someone who consistently has a crisis everyday.  The ones who think that the world is out to get them, that the sky is continuously falling and the only way to fix it is to complain about it.

Those are people who usually don’t want help, so you can’t help them until they’re ready (no matter how many times you try).

The point is… whether it is Satan or just someone in your social circle, DON’T let their negativity, their gloom n’ doom and their pessimism stop you from achieving all that God has in store for you.

Set healthy boundaries, pray for them and most importantly… continue to walk forward on the path of God’s will for your life with peace, joy and a “DO NOT DISTURB” sign on the doorknob.