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Pastor Chris White says to all of you: HELLO MY FRIENDS. May the Lord bless you today.
HOLA MIS AMIGOS. Que el Señor los bendiga.
We all
know people whom we find “difficult” in one way or another, and we’re all
called upon to deal with difficult people at some time or another. A difficult
person may be one who is condescending, argumentative, belligerent, selfish,
flippant, obtuse, or simply rude. Difficult people seem to know just how to
“push one’s buttons” and stir up trouble. Dealing with difficult people becomes
an exercise in patience, love, and grace.
Our response to difficult people should model the examples provided by Jesus,
for He surely dealt with many difficult people during His time here on earth.
In His interactions with difficult people Jesus never displayed an attitude of
harsh superiority or dismissive pride; rather, He showed authority under
control. He used rebuke when necessary (John 8:47), but He also dealt with difficult people by remaining
silent (John
8:6), asking questions (Mark 11:28–29), pointing them to Scripture (Mark 10:2–3), and telling a story (Luke 7:40–42).
In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus was quite specific about dealing with difficult
people in love and humility: “But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do
good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who
mistreat you. If someone strikes you on one cheek, turn to him the other also.
If someone takes your cloak, do not stop him from taking your tunic. Give to
everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand
it back. Do to others as you would have them do to you” (Luke 6:27–31). We must never give tit for tat: “Do not repay evil with
evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because
to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing” (1 Peter 3:9).
In dealing with difficult people, we must guard against pride. It is important to recall the admonition given by the
apostle Paul in Romans 12:3: “For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do
not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself
with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you”
(see also Philippians 2:3–4). So, when we know we must deal with a difficult person,
we approach the situation in meekness. Love is also key: “Love your neighbor as
yourself” (Galatians
5:14). We are to show God’s
love to everyone—including difficult people.
The book of Proverbs provides much wisdom in dealing with difficult
people. Proverbs
12:16 promotes patience in
our relationships: “A fool shows his annoyance at once, but a prudent man
overlooks an insult.” Proverbs 20:3 commends peace-making: “It is to one’s honor to avoid
strife, but every fool is quick to quarrel.” Proverbs 10:12 encourages love: “Hatred stirs up conflict, but love
covers over all wrongs.” Proverbs 17:14 values foresight and deference: “Starting a quarrel
is like breaching a dam; so drop the matter before a dispute breaks out.” If
possible, it might be best to avoid the situation altogether by choosing
carefully whom we associate with: “Do not make friends with a hot-tempered
person, do not associate with one easily angered” (Proverbs 22:24).
Dealing with difficult people is unavoidable. When we deal with difficult
people, it’s easy to respond in the flesh. But that just brings out the worst
in us. How much better to allow our dealings with difficult people to bring out
the fruit of the Spirit in us (Galatians 5:22–23)! By the grace of God, may we deal with difficult people
in love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith, gentleness, and—to
top it all off—self-control. May we extend the same love, grace, and mercy that
God extended to us. And may we be careful not to become the “difficult people”
ourselves!
Thank you to Got Questions Ministries
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