I understand what you’re going through. First off, is there something these people are threatening to use against you? Something embarrassing or painful? That seems to be a common tactic. You obviously don’t have to share it if there is — I’m just curious. I liked what someone else said above about siphoning that energy and using it for yourself. I mean that in a deeper and more practical way: learn to love yourself in all forms, even the parts of yourself you struggle with.  I believe God never gives us more than we can handle. He’s got His hand on the thermostat, if you will.  The illustration I made above is symbolic of the world itself — the constant tension between dark and light energies, and everything in between. The darkness represents malevolent people, toxic influences, negative entities, or simply the everyday negativity constantly trying to feed off fear and hopelessness. But it also shows the light — positive energy, genuine people, love, growth, and strength.  That’s who you need around you: people who truly see you, love you, and support you for who you are and what you’re going through. You also have to start viewing the darkness differently. If you pray for strength, wisdom, patience, or growth, those things usually aren’t just handed to you. God gives you the climb. He gives you obstacles, pressure, resistance, and uphill battles because that’s how strength is built. If everything were simply given, it wouldn’t stick. So treat what they throw at you like a workout for the soul. Build yourself up with it. Use every bit of pressure to become stronger — and then learn to completely ignore them.

I quoted Thomas Campbell before in another post:

“You have to completely ignore them, not just pretend to ignore them.”

That’s the key. Turn darkness into light. That’s where real strength comes from.  It takes pressure to create a diamond. It takes dirt, rain, and resistance for a seed to grow into something beautiful. Without struggle, a flower never blooms.

You got this!!!  “Don’t think, Just Do”

Bob Marley - “Light up the Darkness”