On Facebook a couple days ago, I shared that I was dealing with an unstable neighbor.  I have never seen anything like it.  I feel really sorry for this lady… she definitely must be very messed up and hurting.  We set some boundaries regarding our kids and their safety and her dog… she is now on a mission to harass us and to get back at us. I really had so many sweet comments from people on this post on FB… I felt like people did have my back.

Of course, I want to do the right thing and love my enemy, but loving my enemy looks different in every situation. That is when intimacy with the Lord comes in to play and that is a good time to pray and ask Him… what do you want me to do??  I feel like I got my answer and that she is not a safe person.   I feel like now I am to report her behavior to the police and to ignore her.  And to pray for her.  (that is hard)

It would feel really good to flip her off (as this is her favorite thing to do when she sees us)  or to be able to do something nasty back, but I feel like the Lord is restraining me.  And that is a good thing.  I don’t want to start acting like she does and I don’t want bitterness or hate to enter my heart.  This is not saying that the Lord wants me to be a doormat or wants me to not stand up for myself.  There was a time when I needed to confront her and I did that.   I  know that when I listen and let Him go to town on my behalf… things change for my benefit!  I have seen many times over the years, that when I hand over my need for vengeance to the Lord– that He does something way more amazing and creative than I could ever have dreamed of doing.  I know I’m His girl and He has my back.  I am handing my neighbor over to Him.  I’m letting it go.

A good verse in 1 Peter 3:12   “For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”   I just know that the Lord does not like people messing with his kids.  I know the anger that can come out of me if anyone messes with my boys. Wow. I would hate to be in her shoes.

Oh my goodness.. in the middle of writing this my Aunt Regina sent me a couple verses regarding this situation.  They could not be more perfect.

Proverbs 11:9  With their mouths the godless destroy their neighbors, but through knowledge the righteous escape.  (man, I do feel like I need to escape!)

Proverbs 11:12  Whoever derides their neighbor has no sense, but the one who has understanding holds their tongue.  (help me, Lord to keep my mouth shut)   Aunt Regina, this was confirmation for me!

Speaking of wanting to escape, this situation has caused me a wee bit of stress. We all know that stress is so hard on your body and emotions  Long-term exposure to stress can lead to serious health problems. Chronic stress disrupts nearly every system in your body. It can raise blood pressure, suppress the immune system, increase the risk of heart attack and stroke, contribute to infertility, and speed up the aging process. Long-term stress can even rewire the brain, leaving you more vulnerable to anxiety and depression. This is why I need to let this situation/stress go…   and two perfect oils to help you with stress are Peace and Calming and Lavender.  My friend, Brian Patterson, jokingly said my neighbor needed Peace and Calming oil and I totally agree!  🙂   These oils are great in helping manage stress.

The Peace and Calming Blend consists of 5 different essential oils. They are listed below along with a brief description of what each oil is used for.

• Ylang Ylang(Cananga odorata) helps by increasing relaxation; balances male and female energies, helps lower rapid breathing, blood pressure and anxiety levels. It helps by allowing the individual to gather their thoughts by filtering out the “junk”.

• Patchouli Essential Oil (Pogostemon cablin) is strongly grounding and centering. Very high sesquiterpenes that stimulate the limbic center of the brain. It reestablishes mental and emotional equilibrium and energizes the mind.

• Tangerine Essential Oil (Citrus nobilis) contains esters and aldehydes that are sedating and calming, helping with anxiety and nervousness.  When diffused tangerine can help soothe emotions such as grief, shock and anger.

• Orange Essential Oil (Citrus sinensis) helps to bring joy and peace to the mind and joy to the heart, which in turn help to provide emotional support to help overcome depression.

• Blue Tansy Essential Oil  (Tanacetum annuum) is highly anti-inflammatory and helps cleanse the liver and lymphatic system both of which hold onto toxic build up from anger and negative emotions. It is also very sedating to the nerves and nervous system.

I definitely want to focus on Peace and Calming in a later post… it deserves special attention for sure.  In addition to this oil, Lavender is just wonderful in helping you to relax.

As I lived for many years in anxiety and fear (basically living in constant stress)… the Lord healed me and I have never been the same since then.  I now know what it is like to live in peace.  I know what it feels like to be in His presence.  He is real.  He is the kindest person I have ever known.  I don’t want to retaliate and act like my neighbor.  I don’t want that behavior to put a wedge between me and Him.  Or for it to rob me of my peace.  Maybe… this was a set up.  Maybe he is allowing this situation to not only bring me more truth, but to speak to someone reading this right now.  He may have set this up to say to you right now– I love you and I want to be a part of your life.  This is how He works– He is always intentional.  He never does anything without something good to come out of it.  So, I am going to say that being flipped of by my neighbor was a good thing. It led me to write this…. and maybe someone is going hear that the Lord has your back, when you are willing to trust him.  I love that our Heavenly Father loves impossibilities!  I am wondering what He is going to do for me in this situation… what do you have up your sleeve, Lord?

What are you holding on to today?  What does He want you to let go of today?

Just let go!  And be encouraged… God cares about you and loves you.

Here is a favorite song of mine…