Dealing with Difficult People...

As a Christian, how are we supposed to “deal” with difficult situations or difficult people? Usually our first reaction is to try and “get back” at the person or persons that caused our grief to begin with.  We feel like we need to make them pay for what they've done.  But the way God wants us to react is completely different, and doesn't come naturally.  We want the person who has wronged us, or someone we love, to be punished.  We want vengeance, but God says vengeance is His, and His alone.  We are to “love each other like members of our family”, “bless people who harass us” and “be the best at showing honor to each other”.  We are to never “pay back anyone for their evil actions with evil actions” or “try to get revenge for ourselves”.  God wants us to defeat evil with good. 

Romans 12:9-21Love should be shown without pretending. Hate evil, and hold on to what is good.  Love each other like the members of your family. Be the best at showing honor to each other. Don’t hesitate to be enthusiastic—be on fire in the Spirit as you serve the Lord!  Be happy in your hope, stand your ground when you’re in trouble, and devote yourselves to prayer.  Contribute to the needs of God’s people, and welcome strangers into your home. Bless people who harass you—bless and don’t curse them.  Be happy with those who are happy, and cry with those who are crying.  Consider everyone as equal, and don’t think that you’re better than anyone else. Instead, associate with people who have no status. Don’t think that you’re so smart.  Don’t pay back anyone for their evil actions with evil actions, but show respect for what everyone else believes is good.  If possible, to the best of your ability, live at peace with all people.  Don’t try to get revenge for yourselves, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath. It is written, Revenge belongs to me; I will pay it back, says the Lord. Instead, If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him a drink. By doing this, you will pile burning coals of fire upon his head.  Don’t be defeated by evil, but defeat evil with good.

God also wants us to forgive each other.  Sometimes, well, a lot of times, that’s easier said than done.  Holding on to a grudge, and to anger, only weighs your heart down.  Forgiveness is a choice, and it’s not for the sake of the one who wronged you.  It’s for YOU. 

Colossians 3:13
Bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.

Matthew 18:21-22
Then Peter came up and said to him, “Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?” Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you seven times, but seventy times seven.

I didn't write this so I could point a finger at you or anyone else.  I didn't write it because I thought you  needed to read it.  I didn't write it so that we could all think of people whom we believe “need” to read it.  I wrote it because God put it in front of me today, more than once, and said Amy, YOU need to remember this.  So I thought I’d share it, just in case you needed it too.  Blessings!