Dealing with Difficult People

2 Timothy 2:23-26 New Living Translation (NLT)

23 Again I say, don’t get involved in foolish, ignorant arguments that only start fights. 24 A servant of the Lord must not quarrel but must be kind to everyone, be able to teach, and be patient with difficult people.25 Gently instruct those who oppose the truth. Perhaps God will change those people’s hearts, and they will learn the truth. 26 Then they will come to their senses and escape from the devil’s trap. For they have been held captive by him to do whatever he wants.

What are my choices?

1. You can chose to curse it by staying angry. 

2.  You can chose to nurse it by pitying yourself. 

3. You can chose to reverse it by obeying God whatever the outcome. 

The Biblical Response

1. Realize you can't please everyone.  

John 5:30 New Living Translation (NLT)

30 I (Jesus) can do nothing on my own. I judge as God tells me. Therefore, my judgment is just, because I carry out the will of the one who sent me, not my own will.

2. Refuse to play the game.

John 2:24 New Living Translation (NLT)

24 But Jesus didn’t trust them, because he knew all about people.

3. Rise above it. 

Isaiah 40:31 New King James Version (NKJV)

31 But those who wait on the Lord
Shall renew their strength;
They shall mount up with wings like eagles,
They shall run and not be weary,

They shall walk and not faint.

4. Never retaliate.

1 Peter 3:9 New Living Translation (NLT)

9 Don’t repay evil for evil. Don’t retaliate with insults when people insult you. Instead, pay them back with a blessing. That is what God has called you to do, and he will grant you his blessing.

5. Release them to God. 

Matthew 5:44 New Living Translation (NLT)

44 But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you!

6. Live redemptively. 

Ephesians 4:32 New Living Translation (NLT)

32 Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.

Dino Rizzo, Church of the Highlands

https://www.churchofthehighlands.com/media/message/dealing-with-difficult-people