Let me start off by saying PEOPLE ARE VERY INTERESTING CREATURES. There are so many different personalities out there, that it can be hard to be friends with EVERYONE. I had to realize that being friends TO everyone and LOVING everyone are two different factors. (But that is another post for another day lol) When you think about how many people you’ve met during a day, a week, it doesn’t come as a shock that you just won’t get a long with everyone. So how can I show God’s love for others when there are some confrontational personalities out there in the world? How do the two intersect and find a mutual ground you ask? Well…. Having a ‘quiet spirit‘ and being slow to anger may appear to others as if you don’t stick up for yourself or that you are an easy target. Although, when you read the Bible, you will see there is nothing new under the sun when it comes to this predicament. In 2 Corinthians, Paul’s opponents thought the same of him! They thought in his letters he was bold but in person he commanded no authority. For it says,
2 Corinthians 10:1 By the meekness and gentleness of Christ, I appeal to you- I, Paul, who am “timid” when face to face with you, but “bold” when away!
When you hear someone constantly being verbally abusive or attacking your character, rest assured there are underlying issues with that person for the scripture says in Proverbs 4:23, keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life”. However, in the heat of that moment do we switch on to that same thinking as soon as that hurtful thing is said towards us? I know for me, sometimes I do the “WWJD?” and other times my flesh rises up and want to play into that person’s “back atcha!” I have learned as I am currently in grad school for pastoral counseling, that by understanding a person’s character will help you understand how to help them (in your case how to pray for them). I know I know you’re thinking, “What? I gotta pray for this ‘fool’?” Trust, those were my exact words I said to God when he told me this, and I’m pretty sure he laughed when I said it too! But as I began to watch people’s behaviors on what made them tick, I watched them feel empowered as they wrapped themselves up in their own power trip and begun to see that there attacks wasnot a personal thing, but revealed more so of what they were lacking within themselves. Now am I saying embrace their personality and let them continued to say hurtful things? No, but before you snap and fight fire with fire pray and ask God to reveal the right words to convey when you want them to understand that you will not accept those harmful words any longer.
Now you MUST realize that sometimes God might not give you the words at all because he wants your quiet spirit to speak for you. What’s the benefit in that you ask? People will recognize when you are nonchalant towards their actions, an even if they say “you’re a push over” it’s still acknowledging that you are different than most. Even if you don’t see a change within them, your personality style may be refreshing to someone else who has been watching from a distance waiting for your response and you may even start hearing the question, “How do you remain so happy or strong when they talk to you like that?,” and just like that this has given you the green light to witness to someone about the God you serve! Because at the end of the day that’s what God has called us to do
1 Peter 3:15 (NIV) But in your hearts revere 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, . Become saved so you can save and witness to someone else–you never know why God has put someone in your life but you can rest assure He is not only developing your character but could also use you to help deliver them from their argumentative personality. There is always a bigger picture to show you just how BIG God really is.
#BeingTheBiggerPerson
Starving Christians 