Oh how hard it is to pay the financial, emotional and investing of time “price” when it comes to facing our OWN issues!

Gazillions of excuses are explained away as why we “just caaan’t” take the time right now to be accountable to consistent help for our issues! (Insert WON’T!)

Is this irritating to read my friends?

Narcissism is difficult to deal with in relationships, and recognizing it will help you to respond differently to it. Jesus was constantly aware of what was in the heart of the people that he dealt with!

He knew when people were willing to hurt him, when people were insincere, when people were manipulating him, and when people were pretending.

IT’S A WILD WORLD!

You need to know who you are dealing with so you can respond in a way that is also wise.

Here are five characteristics of a narcissist:

🔷 A lack of empathy for anyone else.

Narcissists are unable to see other people’s pain even when that pain is caused by their own actions.

It is as if they cannot see any viewpoint but their own. In fact, if you try to get them to understand they have hurt you, they will usually show contempt and disdain for your weakness.

🔶 A sense of entitlement or special treatment.

The narcissist expects to be treated special and expects that his/ her wishes will be complied with.

This expectation doesn’t allow others to have different opinions, say no, or have needs.

If you refuse to do what they want, you will be threatened, blamed, and made to feel guilty.

🔷 An exaggerated view of oneself.

Narcissists do not have an honest self assessment. They have an inflated view of their abilities, achievements, brilliance, or talent.

They don’t hesitate to talk about themselves or to flaunt their high view of themselves and expect others to recognize this superiority.

🔶 Lack of respect for others’ individuality.

You do not exist as a separate person with your own needs, opinions, desires, and individuality; instead, you live as an extension of the narcissist.

Your boundaries, needs, and opinions won’t be respected because they don’t matter; the only thing that matters is what the narcissist feels, needs, wants, and believes.

🔷 An inability to look inside of their own souls.

When you try to get narcissists to look at themselves, you will find them extremely defensive.

They are not willing to admit they are wrong, to admit they are afraid, to admit they are weak, or to admit they are narcissists.

They will react angrily, manipulatively, punitively, and arrogantly to your criticism and suggestions.

Your conscience acts in a way as your “prosecuting attorney.” Whenever you go against what is good, your conscience will accuse you ( con-vict you) and seek to convict you of your “crime.”

It is a blessing to sense that corrective conviction! We all need that in our lives.

Young people need it and so do adults. Without it, we are operating a highly advanced “computer” of the ever pleasure seaking soul/mind without any firewall and without any protection against destructive behavior.

When you first go against your conscience in some area of your life, you feel it. It’s an unpleasant nagging feeling that what you did was wrong.

At that point, you will either submit to your conscience and do the right thing, or you will resist your conscience and prepare once again to go against it.

That is a critical mistake. By going against our conscience, we risk losing our bearings and reaping a whirlwind of consequences due to wrong choices.

“All a man’s ways seem right to him, but the LORD weighs the heart,” Proverbs 21:2.

“In their own eyes they flatter themselves too much to detect or hate their sin,”
Psalm 36:2.

Honestly, ask God if you are stuck in life and continue to repeat cycles of behaviors in relationships.

He will help you see the weak places in your character, but He also comes alongside you to help you to break free and no longer return to the places where familiarity keeps you stuck.

 

In His Shadow,
~ Mary Lindow ^©

Duplication and sharing of this writing is welcomed as long as complete message and website information for Mary Lindow is included. Thank You!

” THE MESSENGER ” ~ Mary Lindow
www.marylindow.com
Global Prayer Rooms

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Mary Lindow has a passion for encouraging others – all generations, careers or vocations to live expressing excellence through personal integrity, healthy accountability, and wise management of talents and skills. She’s a sought after keynote, inspirational, humorous speaker and teacher across the USA and internationally in Ministers & Spiritual leaders Conferences, and training seminars for various organizations.

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