Post by Rob W. Case on Dec 9, 2010 2:20:02 GMT -6
Whether or not you are among many people, in a public setting, or if you deal directly with the public, dealing with people can be a real challenge. Of course, people have many different personalities, quirks, and ways of doing things. And yet all too often, one person’s ways will always conflict with another person’s ways, and that dynamic alone, depending on the personalities of the people involved, can cause problems. We who are Christians know full well what it feels like to deal with the people around us, in deeper ways than what we openly express. Sometimes we have difficulties with certain people within the body of Christ (in the sense of theological clashes, or areas in which individuals seem to want to hold on to certain dogmas and human-invented superstitions without allowing themselves to consider anything that might at least challenge a full argument), but mostly, I think, our difficulties with certain unreasonable people out of the body of Christ can cause us to lose focus on how God would want us to handle our difficulties, and in that, leave us to our carnal, fleshly, and fallible instincts to handle the matter. And when that happens, without being properly tempered, anything can happen.
When times are difficult, people lose what they once had. Some peoples living arrangements are “demoted” in that people who were at one time property owners are now becoming renters. Styles of living are re-arranged, some for the better and some for the worst. When we fall on hard times, in order to survive, we must be more frugal, prioritize our needs, and only occasionally, for recreation, do or buy something we want. Discretion in the way we arrange our priorities now serves more as a “barrier” than it did when times were good, and we could pursue our wants and desires rather on impulse, and without much discretion.
And yet, as times get tougher, and as people continue to lose more of what they once had, many people are growing more and more bitter, and in that, it is starting a chain reaction that feels ever so difficult to extinguish. In that, more than ever before, it feels as if it’s getting more and more challenging for a person to maintain a healthy level of composure, and thus have the ability to be clear-thinking, have control of one’s reactions towards people who agitate one’s emotions, or inflicts deep irritation through various means, and still be a light in a dark world, all at the same time, especially when the world is the way it is. This is a problem in need of a viable solution, and the recipe to help build that solution is as follows….
Now before I personally handle any negative situation or person that that may be difficult to deal with, I first try to have a strong understanding as to where they might be coming from. Wisdom comes from understanding possible matters and motives, and serves as sort of a “tread” to better get a grip on a matter, whether or not that other person might be right or wrong, rational or irrational. Understanding may not necessarily cause a person to agree with someone else, but it tolerates, respects, and at least hears out the case being presented to someone else.
Job 32:8 (NIV)
But it is the spirit in a man, the breath of the Almighty, that gives him understanding.
In Daniel 12:10, we get a prophetic sense of what to expect in the last days, yet this truth also applies well to the simple act of understanding.
Daniel 12:10b (NIV)
….None of the wicked will understand, but those who are wise will understand.
Psalm 119:104
I gain understanding from your precepts; therefore I hate every wrong path.
Psalm 119:130
130 The unfolding of your words gives light;
it gives understanding to the simple.
And in Proverbs 2:1-5, Wisdom is linked with Understanding.
1 My son, if you accept my words
and store up my commands within you,
2 turning your ear to wisdom
and applying your heart to understanding,
3 and if you call out for insight
and cry aloud for understanding,
4 and if you look for it as for silver
and search for it as for hidden treasure,
5 then you will understand the fear of the LORD
and find the knowledge of God.
Understanding is also a testing mechanism to a person’s own personal beliefs. One may have a set of core beliefs, yet they might take a quick look at somebody else’s core beliefs and weigh out which set holds more truth (i.e. via live and constructive results). The simple act of understanding is a power source that can diffuse a quick tempered reaction because it may hold a valid explanation that may arouse sympathy or connect to an individual due through a possible experience that may have occurred at one point in their life. In many instances, I find that when you are open to the capability of understanding things, most of the battle is already fought because you have an effective starting point from which to work from. As your emotions bubble up under pressure, it wears on your patience, and if not properly handled, it can cause an explosion that can either damage your favor with others, scar your reputation socially, or put you on the map as someone to watch out for, for a very long time as others tend to lose trust in you.
But how do you deal with people who may not tend to look to use their sense of understanding before making a judgment, and who may be unreasonable, inconsiderate, discontent, ignorant, disgruntled, quick-tempered, and only out for themselves at the expense of others? I think that as these traits become more common, it becomes more essential to turn to the Lord and his infinite wisdom to remedy the situation. And so, in this message, I want to touch on the matter of dealing with….
Unreasonable, disgruntled, and quick-tempered People:
When people are unreasonable, they become senseless. In other words, for whatever reason, their emotions, desires, anxieties run so high that they either cannot, or they are outright refuse to be reasonable. And when people become unreasonable, they simply just do not care to understand the situation, let alone give it any serious analytical thought or consideration to handle it wisely.
Psalm 92:6
The senseless man does not know, fools do not understand,
Psalm 94:8
Take heed, you senseless ones among the people; you fools, when will you become wise?
Jeremiah 4:22
"My people are fools; they do not know me. They are senseless children; they have no understanding. They are skilled in doing evil; they know not how to do good."
Jeremiah 5:21
Hear this, you foolish and senseless people, who have eyes but do not see, who have ears but do not hear:
Having cited all these truths, what is the most common cause of senselessness? A lack of, or at least a willing (and perhaps hostile) refusal to understand the matter, and the nature of that other person whom you may have poisonous social tensions with. And what happens when you have no understanding? Emotional driven anger void of reason.
Ecclesiastes 7:9
9 Do not be quickly provoked in your spirit,
for anger resides in the lap of fools.
Proverbs 14:16-17
16 A wise man fears the LORD and shuns evil,
but a fool is hotheaded and reckless.
17 A quick-tempered man does foolish things,
and a crafty man is hated.
Emotional driven anger void of reason takes over and because that anger is senseless, it can, as it grows, lead you into doing nothing more than just attract attention, do damage, solve nothing, and from that, leave a lasting, negatively charged impression. After all, as your emotions begin to overtake you; your ability to reason diminishes significantly, which in turn blocks you from reaching the level of understanding needed to properly handle a certain situation.
And yet, while these dynamics are actively at work, the more the individual plays out the underlying truth of God’s wisdom, in that, you will know what to watch out for, and from that, you will have a proper starting point in dealing with a problem person, since understanding at least supplies you with a sense of openness that the problem person (who may not see him/herself that way) may appreciate because at least someone is willing to at least put forth the effort to listen and possibly (depending on the situation) empathize.
Proverbs 18:2
2 A fool finds no pleasure in understanding
but delights in airing his own opinions.
When an individual reaches to the point where he becomes senseless, not only does he lose his ability to properly observe and understand things the way they truly are, but, get this, he handles the situation in the way he personally perceives things to be, and in a prideful, arrogant way, he subconsciously and authoritatively positions himself as sort of a superior force that is not to be reckoned with. And so, if he becomes angry, and is short-tempered in that anger, then he will make it known to everyone he knows, or is involved with. In fact, some people like that sort of attention as they feel that it intimidates others, and makes them feel sort of powerful in whatever setting they adapt to, since that person’s fear inducing, irrational behavior, may cause others not to challenge him the way he perhaps, needs to be.
And so, how do you deal with people like this? The best way to answer this is to ask yourself, How did Jesus deal with people like this?
1. He knew the end from the beginning.
Isaiah 46:10
I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. I say: My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please.
Even though this is a verse that assures the fulfillment of prophecy, it is also a truth that Jesus lived by. After all, Jesus knew what was going to happen to him within the timeframe of his life. He knew the nature of the hearts of those involved in putting him to death. He simply but surely had to wait for them to play it all out.
How should we apply this truth to our lives?
1 Corinthians 15:57 (NIV)
57But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Whenever you ask for his help, and take his approach on handling things, you will be guaranteed victory. It’s as simple as that. The only challenge is, retaining the power and assurance of that victory as you live life and advance in your walk with Christ. In other words, when you deal with unreasonable, disgruntled, and quick-tempered people, it is best to be remain above the situation, and to view the behaviors of such people as nothing more than traps that test the durability of the predestined victory derived from your faith. This type of trap tests your resolve in overcoming the matter, and works to try and get your human nature to take over and react in a dark way, so that, if you fall in this area, the enemy can exploit that fallen reaction to show how “vain” that person’s faith might be.
2. He sought to ultimately reveal the way things are done in the Kingdom of God.
Matthew 6:33 (NIV)
33But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
This is one way a person can understand how things work in the Kingdom of God.
Luke 6:27-28
27"But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.
This truth is very difficult for the world to comprehend, and yet the world cannot do it, let alone understand it. The world cannot understand it because it takes a forward looking, Kingdom centered mindset to be able to comprehend this idea. After all, Love is a Godly trait, and his Kingdom is centered on it.
1 John 4:8
Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.
1 John 3:10
This is how we know who the children of God are and who the children of the devil are: Anyone who does not do what is right is not a child of God; nor is anyone who does not love his brother.
And so in Luke 6:27-28, we see the God and Devil aspect, the spirit and the worldly, here and now components compete. After all, if you do good to those who hate you, then you are working in opposition to the way the carnal, fallen world traditionally works, and thus expects such matters to be handled. And in so doing, you are becoming what is essentially, a light in a dark world. Your approach is foreign to the world, and yet pleasing to those who see that foreign trait as an attractive one. After all, the Devil is the prince and the power of the air (Ephesians 2:2), and since light overpowers darkness (John 1:5), it is destined to prevail once it’s tried, even if that difficult person ends up hating you. At least you defied the elements of darkness that is all too common, and yet expected. In today’s world, while the darkness seeps more and more into our everyday life, that light becomes more and more uncommon, and when that light becomes more and more uncommon, its flow is likelier to be sought and appreciated. Since the world through its nature, is quick to curse and mistreat people, it works strongly in competition with the Kingdom mindset of blessing and praying for those who do those evil things so that hopefully those who do evil things will take notice of the uncommonality of the Kingdom nature, and may possibly want to possess the love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control that the Lord of that Kingdom offers to anybody and everybody who decides to join it.
How should we apply this truth to our lives?
Psalm 95:7a (New International Version)
7 for he is our God
and we are the people of his pasture,
the flock under his care.
The stronger we grow in our relationship and fellowship with God through Jesus Christ, the more of the nature of the Kingdom he reveals in us through the Holy Spirit. In that, if we walk by faith and not by sight, you can be sure that God will help us engage any problem, and any problem person with a Kingdom-centered mindset, and thus solution, so long as it is being actively sought.
3. He focused on the future, and not the moment.
When Jesus first came, he came to initiate a critical component in fulfilling the prophetic scriptures. In so doing, he came into contact with many difficult people. His enemies tried to trip him up and get him in trouble. In fact, even his own disciples were at times difficult to deal with, in that, they remained in the moment and failed to maintain the knowledge of their knowledge of the long-term plan God had for Jesus, as their fleshly nature prevented them from doing so, since it was so out of the ordinary by the world’s definition of ordinary.
John 18:10-11
10Then Simon Peter, who had a sword, drew it and struck the high priest's servant, cutting off his right ear. (The servant's name was Malchus.) 11Jesus commanded Peter, "Put your sword away! Shall I not drink the cup the Father has given me?"
Jesus also had to deal with the prince of the power of the air who tempted him.
Mark 1:12-14
12At once the Spirit sent him out into the desert, 13and he was in the desert forty days, being tempted by Satan. He was with the wild animals, and angels attended him.
And yet, through it all, he had the patience to deal with the people who were in conflict with him. He taught his disciples the value of walking by faith, and he utilized his authority over the Devil to authoritatively wart him off.
How should we apply this truth to our lives?
Our lives as Christians are one big giant test. Everyone we come in contact with, and deal with, are all part of the test. If we are in a weak moment, then we become likelier to handle the situation in our fallible, carnal state. In this sense, we are faced with a tendency not to look forward and upward, but to lose ourselves in the moment and handle the matter through human impulse. If we get into an argument, or if we show our anger, sometimes it will unleash a carnal satisfaction, but it will only do so for a limited time. Yet that one moment of carnal satisfaction on your part can, depending on the seriousness of the situation, create a dent in your reputation, and, like a car with a dent in it, what happens when you get a dent? It is nearly impossible to completely remove and it always serves as a reminder as to what led to the incident. In other words, whatever damage you did in living for the moment will always be remembered in the long term if how you handled the matter was negatively unforgettable. The more you focus on the future, for the sake of Christ, the likelier people who live in the moment will take notice as to how you rarely, if ever, get into trouble. At any rate, the proper response to a momentary problem creates an everlasting impression. As ambassadors to Christ, this serves as a promotion to the power of the Lord in which we serve.
4. Through obedience, he was commended and strengthened.
Hebrews 5:7-9 (New International Version)
7During the days of Jesus' life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with loud cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission. 8Although he was a son, he learned obedience from what he suffered 9and, once made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him
2 Peter 1:17 (New International Version)
17For he received honor and glory from God the Father when the voice came to him from the Majestic Glory, saying, "This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased."
When God commands something, he does so to save us from doing something harmful to our bodies, minds, and souls. And if or when we walk in obedience to Him, the reality of our resolve will be revealed in the outcome of our being able to walk by faith.
1 Peter 3:14-17
14But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. "Do not fear what they fear; do not be frightened." 15But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, 16keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. 17It is better, if it is God's will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.
God will equip you in handling the problem person. It is your decision to allow or disallow the things people do to try and eat away at you. And yet, as the times continue to grow darker, if you let him, God will walk with you through the situation and insert in your mind (equip you with) what you need to properly pass through the moment. And as he makes himself known within and through you, you will notice when his influence takes over, especially as you trust in him, and you will remember that it was He who caused you to be able to properly handle not just a problem person, but any person.
Being a Light In the Presence of Darkness:
Matthew 5:14-16
14 “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.
I have experienced personally, on numerous occasions, the reality of these words. One day at work, an elderly woman came up to me and wanted to share a joke with me. After I heard it, she thanked me for taking the time to listen to her. Another time, I just simply asked a person how they were doing, and they thanked me for asking them. At a local retailer, I came up to the checker, smiled, and said, “Hi, how are you?” Her face went from pouty to smiley, and she made a comment about it. And yet, I didn’t really understand why or how these demeanors were gaining so much recognition. And yet amidst these situations, the truth of another dynamic made me think, concerning the days just before Christ returns to get his own.
Matthew 24:12-13
12Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, 13but he who stands firm to the end will be saved.
And yet, as the times grow darker and darker, we have more of an opportunity to be lights in a dark world, and from that light, attract people to the energy source that produces it. Why is someone who truly depends and trusts in Christ usually happy? Because he has the foresight needed to know that all things work together for good for them that love the Lord and are called according to his purpose (Romans 8:28). This truth is accessible to you, and depending on what God has planned for you, He will walk with you and guide you as he leads you to the place he has assigned for you.
Philippians 4:19
19And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.
And if that need is patience, perseverance, or peace of mind, to endure the next person you may have difficulty with, then God will, for his sake, equip you with the wisdom needed to handle the tests that they in themselves present, and from that, he will help keep your light shining in the midst of this dark world.
2 Corinthians 5:20
We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ's behalf: Be reconciled to God.
When times are difficult, people lose what they once had. Some peoples living arrangements are “demoted” in that people who were at one time property owners are now becoming renters. Styles of living are re-arranged, some for the better and some for the worst. When we fall on hard times, in order to survive, we must be more frugal, prioritize our needs, and only occasionally, for recreation, do or buy something we want. Discretion in the way we arrange our priorities now serves more as a “barrier” than it did when times were good, and we could pursue our wants and desires rather on impulse, and without much discretion.
And yet, as times get tougher, and as people continue to lose more of what they once had, many people are growing more and more bitter, and in that, it is starting a chain reaction that feels ever so difficult to extinguish. In that, more than ever before, it feels as if it’s getting more and more challenging for a person to maintain a healthy level of composure, and thus have the ability to be clear-thinking, have control of one’s reactions towards people who agitate one’s emotions, or inflicts deep irritation through various means, and still be a light in a dark world, all at the same time, especially when the world is the way it is. This is a problem in need of a viable solution, and the recipe to help build that solution is as follows….
Now before I personally handle any negative situation or person that that may be difficult to deal with, I first try to have a strong understanding as to where they might be coming from. Wisdom comes from understanding possible matters and motives, and serves as sort of a “tread” to better get a grip on a matter, whether or not that other person might be right or wrong, rational or irrational. Understanding may not necessarily cause a person to agree with someone else, but it tolerates, respects, and at least hears out the case being presented to someone else.
Job 32:8 (NIV)
But it is the spirit in a man, the breath of the Almighty, that gives him understanding.
In Daniel 12:10, we get a prophetic sense of what to expect in the last days, yet this truth also applies well to the simple act of understanding.
Daniel 12:10b (NIV)
….None of the wicked will understand, but those who are wise will understand.
Psalm 119:104
I gain understanding from your precepts; therefore I hate every wrong path.
Psalm 119:130
130 The unfolding of your words gives light;
it gives understanding to the simple.
And in Proverbs 2:1-5, Wisdom is linked with Understanding.
1 My son, if you accept my words
and store up my commands within you,
2 turning your ear to wisdom
and applying your heart to understanding,
3 and if you call out for insight
and cry aloud for understanding,
4 and if you look for it as for silver
and search for it as for hidden treasure,
5 then you will understand the fear of the LORD
and find the knowledge of God.
Understanding is also a testing mechanism to a person’s own personal beliefs. One may have a set of core beliefs, yet they might take a quick look at somebody else’s core beliefs and weigh out which set holds more truth (i.e. via live and constructive results). The simple act of understanding is a power source that can diffuse a quick tempered reaction because it may hold a valid explanation that may arouse sympathy or connect to an individual due through a possible experience that may have occurred at one point in their life. In many instances, I find that when you are open to the capability of understanding things, most of the battle is already fought because you have an effective starting point from which to work from. As your emotions bubble up under pressure, it wears on your patience, and if not properly handled, it can cause an explosion that can either damage your favor with others, scar your reputation socially, or put you on the map as someone to watch out for, for a very long time as others tend to lose trust in you.
But how do you deal with people who may not tend to look to use their sense of understanding before making a judgment, and who may be unreasonable, inconsiderate, discontent, ignorant, disgruntled, quick-tempered, and only out for themselves at the expense of others? I think that as these traits become more common, it becomes more essential to turn to the Lord and his infinite wisdom to remedy the situation. And so, in this message, I want to touch on the matter of dealing with….
Unreasonable, disgruntled, and quick-tempered People:
When people are unreasonable, they become senseless. In other words, for whatever reason, their emotions, desires, anxieties run so high that they either cannot, or they are outright refuse to be reasonable. And when people become unreasonable, they simply just do not care to understand the situation, let alone give it any serious analytical thought or consideration to handle it wisely.
Psalm 92:6
The senseless man does not know, fools do not understand,
Psalm 94:8
Take heed, you senseless ones among the people; you fools, when will you become wise?
Jeremiah 4:22
"My people are fools; they do not know me. They are senseless children; they have no understanding. They are skilled in doing evil; they know not how to do good."
Jeremiah 5:21
Hear this, you foolish and senseless people, who have eyes but do not see, who have ears but do not hear:
Having cited all these truths, what is the most common cause of senselessness? A lack of, or at least a willing (and perhaps hostile) refusal to understand the matter, and the nature of that other person whom you may have poisonous social tensions with. And what happens when you have no understanding? Emotional driven anger void of reason.
Ecclesiastes 7:9
9 Do not be quickly provoked in your spirit,
for anger resides in the lap of fools.
Proverbs 14:16-17
16 A wise man fears the LORD and shuns evil,
but a fool is hotheaded and reckless.
17 A quick-tempered man does foolish things,
and a crafty man is hated.
Emotional driven anger void of reason takes over and because that anger is senseless, it can, as it grows, lead you into doing nothing more than just attract attention, do damage, solve nothing, and from that, leave a lasting, negatively charged impression. After all, as your emotions begin to overtake you; your ability to reason diminishes significantly, which in turn blocks you from reaching the level of understanding needed to properly handle a certain situation.
And yet, while these dynamics are actively at work, the more the individual plays out the underlying truth of God’s wisdom, in that, you will know what to watch out for, and from that, you will have a proper starting point in dealing with a problem person, since understanding at least supplies you with a sense of openness that the problem person (who may not see him/herself that way) may appreciate because at least someone is willing to at least put forth the effort to listen and possibly (depending on the situation) empathize.
Proverbs 18:2
2 A fool finds no pleasure in understanding
but delights in airing his own opinions.
When an individual reaches to the point where he becomes senseless, not only does he lose his ability to properly observe and understand things the way they truly are, but, get this, he handles the situation in the way he personally perceives things to be, and in a prideful, arrogant way, he subconsciously and authoritatively positions himself as sort of a superior force that is not to be reckoned with. And so, if he becomes angry, and is short-tempered in that anger, then he will make it known to everyone he knows, or is involved with. In fact, some people like that sort of attention as they feel that it intimidates others, and makes them feel sort of powerful in whatever setting they adapt to, since that person’s fear inducing, irrational behavior, may cause others not to challenge him the way he perhaps, needs to be.
And so, how do you deal with people like this? The best way to answer this is to ask yourself, How did Jesus deal with people like this?
1. He knew the end from the beginning.
Isaiah 46:10
I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. I say: My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please.
Even though this is a verse that assures the fulfillment of prophecy, it is also a truth that Jesus lived by. After all, Jesus knew what was going to happen to him within the timeframe of his life. He knew the nature of the hearts of those involved in putting him to death. He simply but surely had to wait for them to play it all out.
How should we apply this truth to our lives?
1 Corinthians 15:57 (NIV)
57But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Whenever you ask for his help, and take his approach on handling things, you will be guaranteed victory. It’s as simple as that. The only challenge is, retaining the power and assurance of that victory as you live life and advance in your walk with Christ. In other words, when you deal with unreasonable, disgruntled, and quick-tempered people, it is best to be remain above the situation, and to view the behaviors of such people as nothing more than traps that test the durability of the predestined victory derived from your faith. This type of trap tests your resolve in overcoming the matter, and works to try and get your human nature to take over and react in a dark way, so that, if you fall in this area, the enemy can exploit that fallen reaction to show how “vain” that person’s faith might be.
2. He sought to ultimately reveal the way things are done in the Kingdom of God.
Matthew 6:33 (NIV)
33But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
This is one way a person can understand how things work in the Kingdom of God.
Luke 6:27-28
27"But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.
This truth is very difficult for the world to comprehend, and yet the world cannot do it, let alone understand it. The world cannot understand it because it takes a forward looking, Kingdom centered mindset to be able to comprehend this idea. After all, Love is a Godly trait, and his Kingdom is centered on it.
1 John 4:8
Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.
1 John 3:10
This is how we know who the children of God are and who the children of the devil are: Anyone who does not do what is right is not a child of God; nor is anyone who does not love his brother.
And so in Luke 6:27-28, we see the God and Devil aspect, the spirit and the worldly, here and now components compete. After all, if you do good to those who hate you, then you are working in opposition to the way the carnal, fallen world traditionally works, and thus expects such matters to be handled. And in so doing, you are becoming what is essentially, a light in a dark world. Your approach is foreign to the world, and yet pleasing to those who see that foreign trait as an attractive one. After all, the Devil is the prince and the power of the air (Ephesians 2:2), and since light overpowers darkness (John 1:5), it is destined to prevail once it’s tried, even if that difficult person ends up hating you. At least you defied the elements of darkness that is all too common, and yet expected. In today’s world, while the darkness seeps more and more into our everyday life, that light becomes more and more uncommon, and when that light becomes more and more uncommon, its flow is likelier to be sought and appreciated. Since the world through its nature, is quick to curse and mistreat people, it works strongly in competition with the Kingdom mindset of blessing and praying for those who do those evil things so that hopefully those who do evil things will take notice of the uncommonality of the Kingdom nature, and may possibly want to possess the love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control that the Lord of that Kingdom offers to anybody and everybody who decides to join it.
How should we apply this truth to our lives?
Psalm 95:7a (New International Version)
7 for he is our God
and we are the people of his pasture,
the flock under his care.
The stronger we grow in our relationship and fellowship with God through Jesus Christ, the more of the nature of the Kingdom he reveals in us through the Holy Spirit. In that, if we walk by faith and not by sight, you can be sure that God will help us engage any problem, and any problem person with a Kingdom-centered mindset, and thus solution, so long as it is being actively sought.
3. He focused on the future, and not the moment.
When Jesus first came, he came to initiate a critical component in fulfilling the prophetic scriptures. In so doing, he came into contact with many difficult people. His enemies tried to trip him up and get him in trouble. In fact, even his own disciples were at times difficult to deal with, in that, they remained in the moment and failed to maintain the knowledge of their knowledge of the long-term plan God had for Jesus, as their fleshly nature prevented them from doing so, since it was so out of the ordinary by the world’s definition of ordinary.
John 18:10-11
10Then Simon Peter, who had a sword, drew it and struck the high priest's servant, cutting off his right ear. (The servant's name was Malchus.) 11Jesus commanded Peter, "Put your sword away! Shall I not drink the cup the Father has given me?"
Jesus also had to deal with the prince of the power of the air who tempted him.
Mark 1:12-14
12At once the Spirit sent him out into the desert, 13and he was in the desert forty days, being tempted by Satan. He was with the wild animals, and angels attended him.
And yet, through it all, he had the patience to deal with the people who were in conflict with him. He taught his disciples the value of walking by faith, and he utilized his authority over the Devil to authoritatively wart him off.
How should we apply this truth to our lives?
Our lives as Christians are one big giant test. Everyone we come in contact with, and deal with, are all part of the test. If we are in a weak moment, then we become likelier to handle the situation in our fallible, carnal state. In this sense, we are faced with a tendency not to look forward and upward, but to lose ourselves in the moment and handle the matter through human impulse. If we get into an argument, or if we show our anger, sometimes it will unleash a carnal satisfaction, but it will only do so for a limited time. Yet that one moment of carnal satisfaction on your part can, depending on the seriousness of the situation, create a dent in your reputation, and, like a car with a dent in it, what happens when you get a dent? It is nearly impossible to completely remove and it always serves as a reminder as to what led to the incident. In other words, whatever damage you did in living for the moment will always be remembered in the long term if how you handled the matter was negatively unforgettable. The more you focus on the future, for the sake of Christ, the likelier people who live in the moment will take notice as to how you rarely, if ever, get into trouble. At any rate, the proper response to a momentary problem creates an everlasting impression. As ambassadors to Christ, this serves as a promotion to the power of the Lord in which we serve.
4. Through obedience, he was commended and strengthened.
Hebrews 5:7-9 (New International Version)
7During the days of Jesus' life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with loud cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission. 8Although he was a son, he learned obedience from what he suffered 9and, once made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him
2 Peter 1:17 (New International Version)
17For he received honor and glory from God the Father when the voice came to him from the Majestic Glory, saying, "This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased."
When God commands something, he does so to save us from doing something harmful to our bodies, minds, and souls. And if or when we walk in obedience to Him, the reality of our resolve will be revealed in the outcome of our being able to walk by faith.
1 Peter 3:14-17
14But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. "Do not fear what they fear; do not be frightened." 15But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, 16keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. 17It is better, if it is God's will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.
God will equip you in handling the problem person. It is your decision to allow or disallow the things people do to try and eat away at you. And yet, as the times continue to grow darker, if you let him, God will walk with you through the situation and insert in your mind (equip you with) what you need to properly pass through the moment. And as he makes himself known within and through you, you will notice when his influence takes over, especially as you trust in him, and you will remember that it was He who caused you to be able to properly handle not just a problem person, but any person.
Being a Light In the Presence of Darkness:
Matthew 5:14-16
14 “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.
I have experienced personally, on numerous occasions, the reality of these words. One day at work, an elderly woman came up to me and wanted to share a joke with me. After I heard it, she thanked me for taking the time to listen to her. Another time, I just simply asked a person how they were doing, and they thanked me for asking them. At a local retailer, I came up to the checker, smiled, and said, “Hi, how are you?” Her face went from pouty to smiley, and she made a comment about it. And yet, I didn’t really understand why or how these demeanors were gaining so much recognition. And yet amidst these situations, the truth of another dynamic made me think, concerning the days just before Christ returns to get his own.
Matthew 24:12-13
12Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, 13but he who stands firm to the end will be saved.
And yet, as the times grow darker and darker, we have more of an opportunity to be lights in a dark world, and from that light, attract people to the energy source that produces it. Why is someone who truly depends and trusts in Christ usually happy? Because he has the foresight needed to know that all things work together for good for them that love the Lord and are called according to his purpose (Romans 8:28). This truth is accessible to you, and depending on what God has planned for you, He will walk with you and guide you as he leads you to the place he has assigned for you.
Philippians 4:19
19And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.
And if that need is patience, perseverance, or peace of mind, to endure the next person you may have difficulty with, then God will, for his sake, equip you with the wisdom needed to handle the tests that they in themselves present, and from that, he will help keep your light shining in the midst of this dark world.
2 Corinthians 5:20
We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ's behalf: Be reconciled to God.