Healing from toxicity without losing yourself

Healing from toxicity without losing yourself (Photo: iStock)

God has called us to be relational by loving him and one another. The cross illustrates this by showing that we relate to God vertically and with people horizontally. If you do not relate to people, life becomes a drudge, difficult and horrible. People are the ones who bring joy to us; we laugh with them and share our dreams. The bible says, "Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God" (1st John 4:7-8).

Dealing with, especially toxic family members, is a difficult and sensitive matter that we often find ourselves grappling with. Sometimes, when we try to love and relate with others, it can get toxic because the other person spites you and makes it difficult. This is not a case where a person irritates you occasionally, as this is normal; rather, it is the constant, persistent, and intentional irritation. Toxic people are dangerous mainly because they do not wear a 'signage' so that one can identify them.