When It Feels as though Everyone is Against You

It is kind of hard isn't it.  Sometimes we focus too much on trying to get everyone to like us.  Everyday, we focus on pleasing people.  Their words sting.  They talk about us behind our backs.  They paint us in a negative light.  They could care less about our feelings.  In place of comfort, we face condemnation.  The ones we consider our closest friends seem to have abandoned us.  Surely there are times where we get a sense of how the Psalmist felt in Psalm 41:

My enemies say of me in malice, "When will he die, and his name perish?" And when one comes to see me, he utters empty words, while his heart gathers iniquity; when he goes out, he tells it abroad. All who hate me whisper together about me; they imagine the worst for me. They say, "A deadly thing is poured out on him; he will not rise again from where he lies." Even my close friend in whom I trusted, who ate my bread, has lifted his heel against me.
(Psalm 41:5-9)

Yes, I have been there.  I have been hurt by those I have trusted and considered my dearest friends.  I have been the subject of ridicule.  I have been the topic of malicious gossip.  What do we do during those times?  In verse 10, the Psalmist shifts his focus to the graciousness and the goodness of God.  Instead on focusing what we can do to please people, focus more on how we can please God.  Focus on His goodness and His graciousness.  He is the one constant companion when it feels as though everyone rejects and abandons us.

But you, O LORD, be gracious to me, and raise me up, that I may repay them! By this I know that you delight in me: my enemy will not shout in triumph over me. But you have upheld me because of my integrity, and set me in your presence forever. Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel, from everlasting to everlasting! Amen and Amen.
(Psalm 41:10-13)

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I come to the garden alone
While the dew is still on the roses
And the voice I hear falling on my ear
The Son of God discloses.

And He walks with me, and He talks with me,
And He tells me I am His own;
And the joy we share as we tarry there,
None other has ever known.

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Sue Ellen, who lived in NC was on vacation in the depths of Louisiana. She wanted a pair of genuine alligator shoes in the worst way, but was very reluctant to pay the high prices the local vendors were asking. After becoming very frustrated with the "no haggle" attitude of one of the shopkeepers, Sue Ellen shouted, "Maybe I'll just go out and catch my own alligator so I can get a pair of shoes at a reasonable price!"
      
      The shopkeeper said, "By all means, be my guest. Maybe you'll luck out and catch yourself a big one!"
      
      Determined, Sue Ellen turned and headed for the swamps, set on catching herself an alligator. Later in the day, the shopkeeper is driving home when he spots the young woman standing waist deep in the water, shotgun in hand. Just then, he sees a huge 9 foot alligator swimming quickly toward her. She takes aim, kills the creature and with a great deal of effort hauls it onto the bayou bank. Lying nearby were several more of the dead creatures.
      
      The shopkeeper watches in amazement. Just then Sue Ellen flips the alligator on its back, and in frustration, shouts, "This one isn't wearing any shoes either!"