Dealing with difficult people
Dealing with difficult people is a challenge.
We think we know the right action to take, yet others have a different viewpoint that we perhaps consider unethical, unkind, or just plain wrong. When differing viewpoints collide, conflict results.
Do we deal with conflict situations with grace?*
Grace is a gift from God.
From the fullness of his grace we have all received one blessing after another. (John 1:16)
We’ve all been given the gift of grace from God. Are we sharing that grace with others? Do we listen as they express their viewpoint? Are we hearing their thoughts without being judgmental? Do we respect their opinion even though ours is different?
It is through grace that we are saved.
It is by grace you have been saved, through faith–this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God–not by works, so that no one can boast. (Ephesians 2:8-9)
We didn’t do anything to earn the gift of love and salvation God provides through His grace. Are we extending that same grace to others? Do we love others even when we feel they don’t deserve it?
Our Father loves us and grants us grace–even when we are undeserving. Can we give that same gift of grace to others?
We find our grace from God.
God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. (2 Corinthians 9:8)
God is love.
When we deal with conflict and difficult people, He will help us love them. God will help them love us–because we can be difficult, too.
Father, God, thank you for your gifts of love and grace. As we experience conflict, please help us love one another and bestow the gift of grace in full measure. In the precious name of your loving Son, Jesus. Amen
*I found this article helpful as I prepared this message.
Thank you for this message, Katherine, and for the verses you shared. I love 2 Cor.9:8. God is so good to lavish His grace upon us so we can extend grace to others. As you pointed out, it’s all through Him! Blessings to you.
You are right, Kim, God is so good to us. We are so blessed. Thank you for sharing your thoughts. Wishing you joy and blessings.
Grace and love work and I’ve found God gives me both when dealing with difficult people during conflict. The older I am the more I realize my feelings don’t matter but God’s precepts are to be upheld
You have already learned a lesson that many of us struggle with for a lifetime. It’s not our feelings that matter, but God’s, and He helps us deal with the negativity and conflict in our world. He even helps us love our enemies. Oh! What a mighty God we serve. Blessings!
Thank you for your article. Dealing with conflict is tough. I have said it requires that we “handle with prayer” and that we ask God to let us have listening ears. I like the phrase that we need to love people from where they are to where God wants to take them. That’s what God did and continues to do with me.
Thank you for sharing your insight and wisdom, Jimmie. Your faith and kindness are such a wonderful role model for us. Listening is essential for us to know God’s will and I’m thankful He is faithful and patience with me as I struggle to be a better listener.
These issues are difficult and God knew we would need His direction because we can’t handle conflicts in our own wisdom. Thanks for bringing this issue to light, Katherine.
We are so blessed that our Father is with us through trials and conflicts. He grants us grace and gives us the strength to share grace and love with others. Thanks for your encouragement, Barbara. Blessings!
What a great reminder Ms. Katherine; even before we enter into situations where disagreement might arise, we should reflect upon all the grace and mercy God has shown us. This helps us to show His love to others. Well said ma’am. Thank you! The world teaches us we “have to win at all costs”; God reminds us that He paid the cost for us and the victory comes when we reflect His presence in our lives.
Thank you for your encouragement, my friend, and the reminder that God has paid our debt and all He asks in return is our love and commitment to Him. J.D., you are a wonderful example for us as to how to reflect the light of Jesus in our lives. Thank you!
Food for thought: “Our Father loves us and grants us grace–even when we are undeserving. Can we give that same gift of grace to others?”
Diana, thank you for highlighting that sentence. It’s humbling, isn’t it, to know our Father grants us grace in spite of our sin? May God bless you.
Great wisdom! I appreciated this refreshing look at how sinners can better get along with other sinners. My brother shared that verse in a sibling group text last year: God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. (2 Corinthians 9:8) I’ve endeavored to commit it to memory.
In my experience, if I focus on the difficulty in the difficult person, it only keeps me blind to my own shortcomings.
I agree, Mary. I’ve done that escape route as well–I focus on the negative traits of the other person and fail to see the plank in my own eye. Thank you for that reminder. Blessings!
Such a timely message, Katherine. I don’t think I remember a time when there were more passionate disagreements that the present. We need to extend grace to others now more than ever.
I’ve noticed that issue as well, Terri–so much conflict in our nation and in the world. I pray we can learn to love one another.
Terri echos my thoughts so well. Your message is timely and much needed during these times. We need to be proactive in offering grace and love to those who are offensive rather than avoiding them – which is what I tend to do.
Like you, Candyce, I prefer to avoid conflict whenever possible. But you are right–we need to face it head-on and be proactive in offering grace and love. Thank you for sharing your insight and wisdom.
A much needed message for our days. Thank you, Katherine. God bless!
Thank you for your encouragement, Nancy. May God continue to bless you in your service to Him.
Extending grace isn’t easy. But when we do, others take notice too. We, as Christ followers have an audience. Showing grace to others is a wonderful way to show our audience Christ in us.
I agree, LuAnn. God’s gift of grace and His ongoing love and faithfulness inspire us to extend grace to others. You have shared an excellent point–as Christians, we are in the spotlight and our example changes lives. It’s up to us to make sure our example is a positive one. Thank you for sharing your thoughts.