faith unfaded

“She sure is shady,” I’d said, smarting after an insulting dig had been wrapped in a fake compliment on my Facebook page the other day.

It wasn’t unusual. A recent TikTok on one of my Texas stays had gone viral and amassed over 300k views. Little digs popped up here and there in the comments. But most of those were about the video content, not me personally. And none of them actually knew me.

It’s the friends that betray you that sting the most. You’d be surprised how many words spoken behind my back make their way to my ears. For the most part, I quickly make the mental transfer in my head from friend to acquaintance, trying not to label anyone as enemy, knowing that is Satan’s slot. (Ephesians 6:12)

But I have to pray quickly and fervently not to let a seed of anger or unforgiveness in, lest it take root and choke the life out of me.

There will always be miserable people trying to make everyone else miserable. There are gossipmongers, people filled with envy, pot-stirrers. There are negative people who always see life in a glass half-empty way, pick-me girls whose desperate need for relevance cause bile to spew from their mouths.

Some merely slap paint on the front door of a condemned building. They speak about being blessed and post verses and memes all over their social media pages but don’t live one word of it. They make up lies and start rumors to promote their own agenda. Or try to discredit you in order to confute the Holy Spirit’s power in your life.

Keep these prayer shield verses handy when you come across such people. They are merely vessels for Satan to tear you down. They need prayer more than anyone. If you can’t pray for them, pray for strength to turn away without building up hate in your heart.

Prayer Shield Verses ✨

• For peace when they insult you
“Bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.” — Luke 6:28
👉 Pray: “Lord, give me strength to answer insults with peace, not anger.”

• For confidence when they gossip
“The Lord is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear?” — Psalm 27:1
👉 Pray: “God, You are my protector. I don’t need to fear what others say.”

• For wisdom to rise above the fake and the wicked
“People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” — 1 Samuel 16:7
👉 Pray: “Father, help me see people the way You see them, and not be fooled by their masks.”

• For letting God handle revenge
“Do not take revenge… ‘It is mine to avenge; I will repay,’ says the Lord.” — Romans 12:19
👉 Pray: “Lord, I release the need to get back at them. Fight for me.”

• For strength to stand tall when under attack
“The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.” — Exodus 14:14
👉 Pray: “God, I trust You to defend me, and I will stand strong in Your love.”

Winning a battle against an enemy in the flesh is losing God in the spirit. It’s not worth it.

• Romans 12:17–21: “Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: ‘It is mine to avenge; I will repay,’ says the Lord. On the contrary: ‘If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.’ Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good”.
• Proverbs 20:3: “It is to one’s honor to avoid strife, but every fool is quick to quarrel”.