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marbella3 70F
2483 posts
8/7/2014 3:21 am

Last Read:
8/8/2014 4:16 am

Difficult People



Read: Ephesians 4:1-12

Walk worthy of the calling with which you were called . . . bearing with one another in love. €”Ephesians 4:1-2

Bible in a Year:
Psalms 72-73; Romans 9:1-15

In the book God in the Dock, author C. S. Lewis describes the kind of people we have trouble getting along with. Selfishness, anger, jealousy, or other quirks often sabotage our relationship with them. We sometimes think, Life would be much easier if we didn'€™t have to contend with such difficult people.

Lewis then turns the tables on us by pointing out that these frustrations are what God has to endure with each of us every day. He writes: €œYou are just that sort of person. You also have a fatal flaw in your character. All the hopes and plans of others have again and again shipwrecked on your character just as your hopes and plans have shipwrecked on theirs.€ This self-awareness should motivate us to try to show the same patience and acceptance to others that God shows to us daily.

In Ephesians, Paul exhorts us to arm ourselves relationally €œwith all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love€ (4:2). The one who is patient is better able to deal with a difficult person without becoming provoked to anger and retaliation. Instead, he or she is able to endure, exhibiting grace in spite of upsetting behavior.

Are there difficult people in your life? Ask God to show His love through you.
Some people can be difficult to love,
And so we do not even try to care;
But God says, €œLove them just as I'€™ve loved you€”
You'€™ll bring Me glory as My love you share.€

See others as God sees you.


lilium6 74F
4498 posts
8/7/2014 4:57 am

Thank you Marbella - a timely self reminder