Sunday, January 25, 2015

Difficult People

Author C.S. Lewis describes the kind of people who have trouble getting along with. Selfishness, anger, jealousy or other quirks often sabotage our relationship with them. We sometimes think that 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: You are just the 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 with all lowliness and gentleness, with long-suffering, bearing with one another in love. 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.

Some people can be difficult to love,
And so we do not even try to care,
But God says, Love them just as I’ve loved you,
You’ll bring Me glory as My love you share.

See others as God sees you.

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