Friday, November 23, 2018

November 23 Thought for the day...dealing with people, especially jerks!


Have you ever said, "God, if you could just remove this person from my life, life would be so much better!" Or something like that? I wrote a sermon once called, "Don't let the jerks get the best of you!" We will always have difficult people in our lives until we go home to be with Jesus. If you didn't read yesterday's post, this one might not make sense to you. If people are driving you crazy, you are in good company with Paul!
Concerning this thing, I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. 9 And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” 2 Corinthians 12:8,9
Our church slogan is, "The perfect church for imperfect people." We mean that, and as a church, we embrace everyone, and we desire that each and every day, we all grow to become more like Jesus. Along the way, we may struggle with contentious, even mean, and disingenuous people some will become more like Jesus and others more like the other guy and eventually walk away. We have no way of knowing who will follow which path, so we must pour love into everyone.
Paul pleaded with God to deliver him from all the people causing him great hardship and heartache (the thorn in his flesh), but God would not do it. God is full of hope and love, and He will allow difficult people in our lives in the hope that they will choose Jesus, because of our faith and witness. Another thought is if God removes all the difficult people in your life, would there be any left? Remember, God sent His Son to the cross for everyone, and He desires for none to perish. God will not leave you helpless.
It might seem at times that life would be so much easier if it weren't for the people. However, it is for blessing people (which ultimately blesses God) that we are here. God knows our struggles, so His "grace is sufficient for you." Sufficient means to give protection, power, means, more than enough, and it is continual!
He also promises the "strength" needed. The word "strength" means dynamic power, ability to make any needed change. You may, at times, feel you can't handle this person, but God is saying I'll give you the ability and the power to more than deal with them but to keep you walking with your head held high.
This dynamic power is made perfect (matured) through our "weakness." The word choice Paul uses has to do with emotional stresses, unsettled emotions, and does not have anything to do with a physical malady at all. It could be frustration, anger, fear, anxiety, or any other gambit of emotions. God knows we feel insufficient to deal with difficult people if we choose to trust Him, He will supply all the strength we need to overcome in every situation.
Living with some people can be a challenge. It generally is not God's will to remove them from you but to give you all that you need so they might be changed and that you might be changed as well. Our loving heavenly Father desires for us to become more like Jesus, to engage people the way He did, and to always reflect the Father's heart toward everyone. He desires every person to live a life that fulfills them and that they spend eternity with Him. He will allow people to be "jerks" in your life so you will grow, and they will come to know His love through you!
Be thankful today for God's strength and all the ways he blesses you. He is more than sufficient for you!

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