Throughout my life, I’ve crossed paths with a certain kind of person—the ones in the dark who pretend to walk in the light. They move quietly, almost invisibly, with a passive‑aggressive edge so subtle that you barely notice it until the damage is done. Some people call them frenemies. I call them what they are: individuals who get close just to study you, not to support you.

These people are hard to spot because they don’t attack openly. They drop hints. They hide behind sarcasm. Their body language tells the truth long before their words do. A twitch of the eyes. A folded arm. A shift in tone. A joke that cuts a little too deep. If you’re not paying attention, you’ll miss it.

And the tricky part is this—you don’t want to misjudge a good person who’s simply joking around. I’ve been misunderstood like that myself. People used to tell me they never knew when I was serious or joking, and they used that confusion against me. It took time for me to separate the two so I wouldn’t be labeled as someone who couldn’t get along or didn’t care.

But the truth is, I care deeply. I listen with empathy. I genuinely want to know how people are doing. Even when the energy isn’t returned, I don’t hold it against anyone. I just keep moving.

The ones in the dark feed off jealousy. You could give them everything—your time, your last dollar, the shirt off your back—and they would still betray you. That’s why vigilance matters. Not paranoia. Not fear. Just awareness.

I’ve been taken advantage of more times than I can count. Enough to make some people bitter. Enough to make others stop trusting altogether. But I don’t believe the world is full of bad people. I believe good people exist—they’re just harder to find.

And I refuse to be a victim. I walk with confidence. I walk with knowledge. I respect other people’s opinions even when they differ from mine. But I pay attention to the red flags now. I have to. Not everyone wants to see you win.

Some people throw rocks and hide their hands. I’ve worked around people like that for years. It took me a long time to realize they were only in it for themselves. They would throw anyone under the bus to get ahead. At the time, I thought I had found a place where I belonged. But God pulled me out of there for a reason—and I trust His timing.

In today’s world, the darkness isn’t just personal. It’s digital. You can’t always trust companies or businesses with your information. You never know what’s being done behind the scenes. Not everyone is out to harm you, but you still have to be wise.

Pay attention to how people act around you. Listen to their words but also watch their body language. Energy doesn’t lie. When you walk into a room, you can feel the shift. You can sense when your name has been dropped in conversations you weren’t invited to.

But even then—conduct yourself with respect. With kindness. With compassion. With empathy.

My goal in life is to be a leader. And I am a leader. I want people to know that good still exists. That with the right mindset and the right knowledge, you can rise above anything. Life isn’t easy. It never has been. But if you believe, you can achieve.

Develop your one‑on‑one relationship with God. Trust that His love is unconditional. You are not your past. You are forgiven. And yes, you will make mistakes—sometimes the same ones more than once. I’ve been stuck in loops myself. But once you recognize the pattern, you can break it.

Even when you don’t have a support network, God will carry you. Focus on what you have, not what you lack. Be grateful. Even in your hardest moments, He provides.

There are people out there who will help you. You just have to put in the effort to find them. Don’t give up. You’re worth it. I love you

and GOD loves you. Written by. Kristofer Krumholtz

 

“The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” — John 1:5