Keep the Faith: When Dealing with Difficult People Devotional Guide
Monday: Read 1st Peter 3:9a. 1st Peter is a great book to read when dealing with difficult people because it was written to persecuted Christians who were being abused by all kinds of difficult people. In this verse the writer of 1st Peter shares how they should respond to those who are against them. This was an epic idea then and it is an epic idea today. When these words were written it was lawful to retaliate, to get even with someone who went against you. Today, that seems like acceptable behavior too. Yet 1st Peter says, “As followers of Christ, that is not an option for us. We don’t retaliate. In fact, we go one step further. We respond to insults and evil with goodness and love.” Can you think of a time when you responded to evil and negativity with love and understanding? What was the reaction?
Tuesday: Read 1st Peter 3:10-12. In these verses the writer of 1st Peter is quoting a Psalm. When you are faced with a difficult person who is driving you up the wall, seeking peace is the last thing on your mind! How can you do it? In verse 12 we are told that it is through prayer! God is attentive to our prayers. Now, there is a concept! Have you ever prayed for God to help you with a person who is difficult? Have you ever prayed for a person who is being difficult? If so, what was the outcome?
Wednesday: Read 1st Peter 3:15: 1st Peter reinforces the fact that we do not act on our own power. We should not be afraid or intimidated by difficult people. When we allow our hearts to draw closer to Christ and his love, he will give us the power to respond to insult with a blessing. It is comforting to know that we do not face a difficult person alone. Jesus is with us and will give us the strength and wisdom we need if we ask for it. How does this idea help you?
Thursday: Read the second part of 1st Peter 3:15: This verse is amazing. When we choose to respond to evil with a blessing it is going to turn heads. It is going to get attention because no one acts this way. In fact, it may embarrass the difficult person. When we rise above the crowd and respond to insults and criticism with love and goodness people are going to notice and there is a good chance they are going to wonder what is different about us. Have you ever thought about the idea that loving a difficult person is a powerful witness to your faith?
Friday: 1st Peter 3:18: In this verse we are basically given the idea to convey to people when they ask why we are responding to a difficult person with love. “For Christ also suffered for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, in order to bring you to God.” That’s what you tell them. For, you see, all of us can be difficult. All of us can be abrasive and insensitive. All of us can be impossible to deal with. And how did Christ respond to us? With unbelievable love, grace and mercy! We repay evil and insults with a blessing because that is what Christ has done for us. Therefore, we are never more like Christ than when we love the unlovable. We are never more like Christ than when we respond to evil with goodness – when we return insult with a blessing. Your response to difficult people will either betray your faith in Christ or reveal it. Responding to difficult people is perhaps your greatest opportunity to witness to the power of God’s love in Jesus Christ. Today, pray for a difficult person in your life and ask God to help you witness to your faith by responding to them with love.