You can't take my joy....

The other day I was having a conversation with a family member: we were talking about another member who is incredibly negative and hurtful. At one point the person I was speaking with said, "You know the make fun of your faith." Without hesitation I replied, "I don't care. They can't take my joy and their opinion changes nothing in my day or life." There was some silence and then a that's good, but the problem lies in two areas; this negative members affects the other members joy and day daily, and two it made me stop to think how many others change their day or thoughts/beliefs or actions due to a controlling negative family member? 

Notice I didn't say friend. "friends" you can walk away from, and in theory you can family as well but sometimes it's a little harder. But in all honesty... How many? 

Maybe I'm calloused. I'd like to think I've just grown and over the years and revelation I've received has helped me to seriously not affect my mood, my daily life, or my joy. They can't take it unless I allow them too and I'm sorry I am too peaceful to want that to leave. Maybe it's the miles and states away that helps the "distance" of not affecting me, or the fact we aren't close cause they choose to keep to themselves unless it's of their choosing; whatever it may be... They don't affect me. I refuse to allow them to. It's hard to convey that to members nearby and are hurt in awful ways by negativity and heartless hoops and actions. I'm made to think if I lived there again what would I do and truly I think the answer may hurt... 

I'd walk away. 

It would be harder than now sure, but less stressful and less exposure to my kids of hurtful members and drama they don't need exposed to. Why "stay" for someone to break your joy and boss to their desires/will vs adapting to compromise and life where others are considered a only self? 

If that made sense. 

The bottom line... Don't let someone else's mood or words or actions or pedestal disappointments affect your day. For one you can't hold them/judge them to standards they don't hold themselves to. That's not fair or biblical. Two, they may not realize you have them so high so of course they will always let you down. Three, never let anyone and their opinions towards you be higher that God and his view of you. Guaranteed the outcome of either are very black and white and night and day. Peace vs stress/uneasy. 

Grab God's peace and acceptance. It's a lot more beautiful and peaceful vs giving a negative person more authority in your life than they were created/entitled too.