Bringing people down

I think we all have this one friend who only calls if she wants something and during the conversation makes you depressed and/or feel sorry for her. What do you do to stop that?

I try to be positive as I can be, if I stay positive (which is REEEEEEALLY hard with her) then I hope that I would come out of the conversation on a positive note.

Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe. - Philippians 2:14-15

Who can do everything without complaining? I know I try but usually end up complaining, so when this one friend calls and complains and brings you down, how can you incorporate that statement into the conversation?

Keep in mind people like this may not have a lot of friends. We should never turn our backs on a fellow man because of their attitude. We should love them and help guide them until their attitude betters. Have you heard the statement "Kill them with kindness"? I say it to myself a lot when I hear people bad talk others or irritate me. I smile and keep going, because as a human being and a Christian, I know they are worthy of love, and sometimes love is what they need.

And after you get off of the phone/computer/conversation with this person, don't call another person JUST to complain about the first friend. This makes you no better than they are. You don't want to be that person to your other friend do you?

Is it ok to continue your friendship? That is entirely up to you and the degree this person brings you down. If you're constantly coming off depressed to the point you can't function, it's best to break ties. It's hard I know, but you can't help someone who doesn't want to be helped.

We have free will and these friends chose to be this way. They could turn themselves positive but they chose to be negative. Sometimes they actually feed on the negativity they send out. BE VERY CAREFUL not to do this to your friends.

My thoughts: I personally continue this friendship to remind me of where I came from emotionally, to remind me where I don't want to go to and my Christian duty to help my fellow man. Is it wise? That depends on perspective. Next time your friend calls and tries to bring you down, don't let her/him. Smile because you can actually hear yourself smile while talking. Life will be just fine. Listen to her, give her advice and don't let her get you down.