Dealing With People

At our meeting the question came up concerning how to deal with people that are antagonistic and harsh toward us. I feel like that issue was only partially dealt with, and of course there is always room for gaining a better understanding and being more firmly grounded in God's Word and will for us. This issue of dealing with people who treat us harshly is something we all experience. Jesus certainly did, and the scriptures tell us that He left us an example to follow.

Romans 12:17-21 Recompense to no man evil for evil. If it is possible, as much as it is in your power to do, live peaceably with all men. Dearly beloved, do not avenge yourself, but give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, says the Lord. Therefore, if your enemy hungers, feed him; if he thirsts, give him drink: for in so doing you shall heap coals of fire on his head. Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.
(Heaping coals of fire on his head might sound like revenge. lol You might think, "That sounds exactly like what I want to do!" Remember that fire is a type of the Holy Spirit and judgment. God purifies by fire (we are baptized in the Holy Spirit and Fire). When you do good to your enemy, the Holy Spirit can use your humble dependancy on Him to purify your soul from selfish motives as well as convict the other person.)

I Peter 2:12 says...."whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation. For so is the will of God, that with well doing you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men." So many people do not know the goodness of God. He wants them to know His loving kindness and patience. Then they can be changed by His love, just as we are! He has shown us His love, and we are to show it to others.)
The Message Bible sheds some light on this too. It reads: Love from the center of who you are; don't fake it. Run for dear life from evil; hold on for dear life to good. Be good friends who love deeply; practice playing second fiddle. Bless your enemies; no cursing under your breath. Laugh with your happy friends when they're happy; share tears when they're down. Get along with each other; don't be stuck up. Make friends with nobodies; don't be the great somebody. Don't hit back; discover beauty in everyone. If you've got it in you, get along with everybody. Don't insist on getting even; that's not for you to do. "I'll do the judging," says God. "I'll take care of it." Our scriptures tell us that if you see your enemy hungry, go buy that person lunch, or if he's thirsty, get him a drink. Your generosity will surprise him with goodness. Don't let evil get the best of you; get the best of evil by doing good.

The Books of I and II Peter are written to Christians that were undergoing terrible persecution and is full of exhortations for people in difficult circumstances. It is quite common for the letters to the Churches to begin with encouraging words, reminding the people of the great things God has done for us, and the inheritance we have from Him.

This is important because the way we can overcome evil, rather than being overcome by it, is to keep our focus on how much God loves us, and how much He has done for us. It is easier to endure evil treatment over which we have no control when we know that we have a hiding place, a refuge, a comforter. I Peter 1:4 tells us we are given an "inheritance that cannot be corrupted that is reserved in heaven for us." This is so important in helping us deal with the harshness of life. This brings the balance when we read scriptures that tell us not to repay evil for evil. Instead of focusing on the harsh behavior of others, or the bad circumstances we find ourselves in, we need to focus on and magnify what God has done for us.

Sometimes when bad circumstances come our way, we might have the tendency to think that God does not care about us. How can He allow us to be treated so badly? But we must understand that we are living in a world that is harsh and corrupt, and Jesus was no stranger to it. We have two choices:

1) Fight back, be harsh ourselves and defend ourselves. This leaves us with ourselves to depend upon, to be our own savior. We might feel satisfied for a moment that we will not allow ourselves to be treated badly, but in the end, there is no redemption of the situation unto peace between us and God. We have just shown Him that we don't need Him.

2) Continue to do good and speak kindly. In order to do this, you must be totally dependant upon God and trust Him. You must know that He loves you. In I Peter 2 it is written: "...there is no particular virtue in accepting punishment that you well deserve. But if you are treated badly for good behavior and continue in spite of it to be a good servant, that is what counts with God. This is the kind of life you've been invited into, the kind of life Christ lived. He suffered everything that came his way so you would know that it could be done, and also know how to do it step by step. He never did one thing wrong, Not once said anything amiss. They called him every name in the book and he said nothing back. He suffered in silence, content to let God set things right. He used his servant body to carry our sins to the cross so we could be rid of sin, free to live the right way. His wounds became your healing. You were lost with no idea of who you were or where you were going. Now you are named and kept for good by the Shepherd of your soul.

No retaliation. No sharp-tongued sarcasm. Instead, bless - that's your job, to bless. You'll be a blessing and also get a blessing. "Whoever wants to embrace life and see the day fill up with good, here is what you do:
Say nothing evil or hurtful;
Snub evil and cultivate good;
run after peace for all you're worth.
God looks on all this with approval,
listening and responding well to what he's asked;
But He turns his back on those who do evil things.

Friends, when life gets really difficult, don't jump to the conclusion that God isn't on the job. Instead be glad that you are in the very thick of what Christ experienced. This is a spiritual refining process, with glory just around the corner.

Hebrews 12:1-4 is really good too. It says: Seeing we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesess, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily besets us, and run with patience the race that is set berfore us, Looking to Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest you be wearied and faint in your minds. You have not yet resisted unto blood in striving against sin.
Here we have it again. Consider what Jesus put up with. We haven't shed blood over our struggles...lol..People may be rude or unkind to us, but they have not shoved thornes into our heads! :-)