How to Deal With Difficult Peopleنموونە

This is one of my favorite topics to teach because it’s one of the biggest places of freedom I have personally experienced in my walk with Christ. People can say some of the rudest things! And sometimes the most hurtful, painful, or just stupid things. Often, it comes from those who are closest to us.

When we get caught up in other people’s words, we can easily forget the truth of God’s word and then react based on our emotions instead of giving grace or trying to understand the whole picture. Even worse, we allow the enemy to distract us from the GOODNESS of God through the difficulties of other people.

Difficult people are often oblivious to themselves and their hurtful words and actions. But the truth is - we are ALL difficult people. There are so many references in the New Testament about dealing with difficult people. I have found that the more God references it, the more we need to pay attention to the truth of it. Have you ever had a strained relationship with your extended family? Or a strained relationship at work? What about a strained relationship with a friend? Have you ever experienced tension in your marriage or with an adult child?

When my husband and I were first married and struggling, I remember pleading the “God fix him” prayer because I thought we would have a perfect marriage if God would fix my husband. Man, what I lie from the devil that is. All the while, I just stewed in anger over every little thing.

So many times, God reminded me - I love him as I love you, and I love you as I love him. The hard truth is that we are difficult people dealing with other difficult people. However, acknowledging that fact brings freedom because it surrenders our weaknesses so God can be strong for us.

We can’t change other people; we can only work on changing ourselves. Actual heart change comes when we surrender ourselves to the Holy Spirit.