How to Deal With Difficult Peopleنموونە

The key to healthy relationships with people who feel difficult is understanding that you can’t change them, releasing expectations, and creating boundaries for yourself.

We all know someone we struggle to be patient with because of the sheer frustration they cause us, right? I used to know many people like this until I realized that I was the common denominator. I’m not saying you are anything like that, of course; I’m just sharing my experience. I always seemed to be frustrated with somebody.

Doesn’t it seem that dealing with difficult people feels like constant war? Remember - we can’t control others, but we can control how we respond to them. That comes with learning how to set and manage healthy boundaries within yourself. Boundaries aren’t for other people; they are for you. They are to protect your heart and keep your focus on living in the Peace of God, not the world's strife.

Boundaries are a trendy concept right now in social circles. It can often be misrepresented by actions like icing people out (ie, stonewalling and/or silent treatments) or cutting people off from your life. But boundaries are not weapons to use against others; they are tools to protect the safety of your heart and your family's heart. They aren’t rules that you shout at people when you’re angry or threaten people with when you’re exhausted. You set boundaries within your thoughts, words, and actions. And if people don’t stick to your boundaries, that doesn’t mean you keep repeating your expectations; it means you walk away until a healthy boundary is mutually respected and honored.

Christ lived his life on Earth loving difficult people like you and me. He showed us that through serving, listening, and putting the Kingdom of God first, we can live in freedom even if people reject us. Living in peace has nothing to do with other people and everything to do with being intentional about walking in peace with boundaries to protect that peace.

Christ died for difficult people so that we could live for him!