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Difficult people still exist

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Today we are going to continue the discussion of dealing with difficult people. Did someone jump into your radar since last week’s column?

I had another driver cut me off when I had the right of way. I failed to have a great attitude. (I know God is going to keep these drivers in my path until I learn my lesson. Maybe this week.) I let them go on their merry way. I don’t want my vehicle in the repair shop for a week. And after our basement flood, I’m pretty sure my insurance agent doesn’t want another call from me, either!

So being quiet and being kind is what we are supposed to do, even though it’s not easy. I’m so thankful the Bible is full of real people and the real story about their lives was preserved for us to learn from. The speaker at the conference that spoke to the ladies about difficult people said, “Trust them to Jesus.” She even admitted being in the strike zone of her wrath was not a good place to be. She’s human — as are we.

When she painted the picture of Jesus being our rock, our fortress, our shield, our hiding place, I got some good thoughts going through my brain. (Yes, I have a brain!) When we trust Jesus Christ, He is all around us. We have nothing to fear.

I like that Nabal’s wife, Abigail, immediately came up with a plan to diffuse the difficult situation. The scriptures tell us that David had planned to murder every man on the property. That was not only her disagreeable husband, but probably some great sons, son-in-laws and possibly grandsons. Wow, come up with a plan, quick girl! We’ve got to save those grandsons.

The Bible says Nabal was such a worthless man, no one could speak to him. I feel sorry for Abigail. Was this an arranged marriage and she had no choice? Well, she knew her disagreeable husband was going to get a lot of people killed if she didn’t step in and do something.

God gave Abigail a brain, and inspired her to be wise and use it. God does not make women for doormats. They are superheroes too. 

There’s just some times you have to do what needs to be done. She had already made the choice to live a righteous life in front of her husband. She refused to manipulate him. She just lived as God led her and trusted God.

The speaker, Erin Davis, said, “Sometimes we use too many words.” (I know I do. It’s like I get paid by the word and I just have to keep going. — Something I’m working on. OK?)

Another truth I’m trying to live in light of, God doesn’t need us to do “this.” Whatever it is we feel called to be doing. He can accomplish anything He wants without my help. Davis said, “So it must be what He wants to do in us, through the process that is important to God.”

Even when Jesus went to the cross for the difficult people in the world which includes me and you, He continued to speak to His Heavenly Father saying, Lord, Lord several times. “Lord forgive them, for they know not what they do.”

A woman who trusted God was used to remind David who He was. David was going to be the King. He and his men did not need to murder all the men of this household for something difficult Nabal did all by himself.

Sure, leaders are held to a high standard, but if God is on His throne, it must change how we honor our leaders — even those who don’t deserve it.

All people. All people. All colors, sizes, shapes and races are made in God’s image. Authority is put on their lives by God.

We don’t have to agree with disagreeable people, evil leaders, nasty yahoos but we are supposed to fight for their lives in prayer. 

The evil one has them in his grasp and he’s fighting to retain control. He never plays fair. (Just ask Eve.)

Messy situations don’t always have a happy ending. So what do I really think about God? God does have a happy ending planned for us, if we will give in to His will and accept His gift of salvation and follow His way. Sin has that letter “I” right in the middle. Because “I” often think “I” know best. “I” don’t want anyone telling me what is best for my life. “I” want to run my own life. “I’m” doing pretty good.

It’s God’s job to deal with difficult people. But do you realize before you accepted Christ as Savior, you were the difficult person in His life. Yet He died for us — even while we were being difficult.

I love what Ron Hutchcraft said last week in his column, “As hard as it is to imagine, Jesus looks at us sinners and fools and says, “I’d rather die than lose you.”

Love the difficult people — Jesus does.



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