Difficult People are Not Your Friends, Favorite Family Members - Their Issues Will Distract You Away from God if You Let Them

Sometimes we forget that some people can be quite difficult to be around because suddenly they are smiling, being friendly and acting quite interested in us.  But the niceties fade rather quickly and before long they return to their unfriendly selves.  This sort of behavior can happen in relationships, between friends, at work, church and elsewhere. 

When you see a frequent emotional swing occurring with difficult people, protect your own emotions and don't be misled into believing they have had a permanent change, an unproven spiritual awakening or something else, because you did the following:  prayed, talked them into going to church, or did a kind act for them.  Avoid getting your hopes up.  Rather, stay the course with Jesus and don't be distracted by people who don't enjoy being joyful and don't like themselves or others.

Below are some reminders about challenging individuals.

1.  God didn't call you to fight daily with a hard-hearted, angry or mentally disturbed individual.
2.  You are not goig to always get your way especially with a challenging person.
3.  Difficult people will bring ou down if you let them and are often sharing a space with them.
4.  A violent person will sooner or later hurt you physically.
5.  Emotionally abusive people will name-call, threaten, blame and do other disrespectful things when approached about their negative behaviors.
6.  Never assume that an abusive person, busybody, gossip, know-it-all type, etc. cares about your feelings, will not lie to you or tell your secrets to others.
7.  Petty men and women who create unreasonable and unattainable goals, do not make good friends.
8.  You re better off alone, then with an often angry individual.
9.  If you feel like you shouldn't call, go around, or share something with a person, play it safe, don't do it.
10.  Remember what you have learned from the Bible (i.e. the 10 commandments for starters) and don't be tempted to sin just to put a smile on someone's face or make them feel good.  The person will only bring up your sin to you later and discredit your faith in Christ.

Nicholl McGuire