Realization 101

Rom.12:¹⁸ (NIV)”If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.” [with emphasis]

God does not want us to be difficult people in the lives of those we are doing life with. Some of us may have a propensity towards being demanding, or we are prone to being disagreeable, or being defensive, or prone to be demeaning. In that case, it is time to stop today and realign with Christ. Resolve to take care of your heart with the help of the Holy Spirit. Remember that Fulfilment and Meaning, requires “Being in the right PLACE, having a right PERSPECTIVE, with the right PEOPLE and the right PURPOSE.

The two keys to having the right people around you are: (a) Be the right person. Make sure you are not one of the five types of difficult people. (b) Know how to deal with the five types of difficult people. I implore you to pay close and careful attention to the keys we will be releasing over the next couple of days. They may appear simple but they are not simplistic by any stretch. Do not be quick to dismiss them as things you already know; pause and internalize these keys to dealing with difficult people.

By God’s grace I have been pastoring for over a decade and I can say that the Pastor’s work is people’s work. I have had to handle different types of people – demanding, dishonest, disagreeable, defensive, and demeaning. But I have also had to deal with delightful people. So, I am going to share with you the keys that have equipped me to handle demeaning, disagreeable, dishonest, demanding and defensive people. And of course, enjoy delightful people.

In dealing with difficult people, you have to Realize That You Cannot Please Everybody. That realization alone when properly internalized, sets you totally free. God’s Word says “…as far as it depends on you…”; some things will not depend on you. A man after eating over salted soup has a bad attitude; who is to blame for that? That cannot be anyone’s fault. It is the man’s problem so he needs to deal with it. Fact number one: some people are unpleasable! Understand that some people in certain situations are unpleasable, so just accept it. Some people demand from you what you are unable to give. Be at peace with it.

Prayer: Lord, I ask for the grace to live at peace with everyone as far as it depends on me, in Jesus Name. Amen!