Over then next few days, we’ll go over the types of parasites we come across in life in more detail. This series is not about your average hurting person, but the toxic parasitic people that you encounter in life. We’ll call the first one the times waster.
The time waster is the person who is always calling, texting or emailing you asking for help with their problems. All they do is go over the same problem or problems over and over again. But they never actually do anything to change their circumstances.
Instead, all they do is complain about the situation or people in their lives. But when you give them advice, they make excuse after excuse about how it will never change.
They never take responsibility for their own lives and blame everyone else for their problems. It’s never their fault.
Just like a parasitic worm, all they really want to do is take up all your time and energy. They want you to pity them and tell them that everything is going to be okay.
The Bible has another name for this type of person, “the fool”. Proverbs 18:2 says, Fools find no pleasure in understanding but delight in airing their own opinions. and Proverbs 23:9 says, Do not speak to fools, for they will scorn your prudent words.
These people really don’t want your help nor do they value your advice. So you need to politely let them know that you’re not going to make time for them if they are not willing to work on their situation and take responsibility for their lives. That while you do care about them, you just can’t allow them to steal your time anymore.
A couple of years ago, I dealt with such a person. All he did was complain about his friend who took up to much of his time, the fact that he never had any money and that he couldn’t seem to get ahead. But no matter how many times, I gave him sound advice, he refused to make the changes needed to be successful and reach his goals.
He would say “Yes, you’re right” to my face but refused to set boundaries with his friends or change his ways. So I finally had to say enough is enough. I kindly told his that all we ever do is go around and around the same problem over and over again. That all we talked about was the same problem over and over again.
I told his that I couldn’t help him because he didn’t really want help. I then told him that I had to take a break from our friendship until he was willing to work on his problems and not just complain about them.
I know that all this sounds harsh. And it should be done with a loving attitude. But you have to protect you time. It’s the most valuable gift, save for salvation, that Yahweh was given you. You have to save your time to spend time with Yahweh, take care of yourself and your family, and to help those who need and want your help.
Time is to precious to let these parasites waist it. Cleanse them out of your life.