Dealing with Impossible People

Week 40, Friday

Shari Falwell

Love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. Luke 6:35 (emphasis added)

Let’s face it, some people know how to push our buttons. It’s as if they know exactly what will set us off. Do we turn the other cheek, or do we react in a somewhat ungodly manner? I think that in our flesh we all would prefer to give them a piece of our mind. Would that help? Probably not.

Dealings with difficult people began in the book of Genesis. In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth, but shortly thereafter . . . difficulty set in! There was Cain versus Abel where jealousy ended in death, Jacob versus Esau, Joseph versus his brothers, and later Moses versus his adoptive family member Pharaoh.

I still ask why. Sometimes we may know why, other times we may never know. We aren’t fighting against flesh and blood, right? I found something in Scripture that changed my outlook on people who are extremely difficult to deal with: God can harden hearts. God hardened Pharaoh’s heart throughout the book of Exodus:

• “But I will harden his heart so that he will not let the people go” (Exodus 4:21).
• “But I will harden Pharaoh’s heart” (Exodus 7:3).
• “And I will harden Pharaoh’s heart” (Exodus 14:4).
• “And I indeed will harden the hearts of the Egyptians” (Exodus 14:17, nkjv).

Later, in Romans 9:18, Paul said, “Therefore God has mercy on whom he wants to have mercy, and he hardens whom he wants to harden.”

What if my enemy’s heart has been hardened by God? My efforts to change it would be futile. Realizing this truth has given me a sense of release. Truly, my instructions are to “Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you” (Luke 6:27).

Thank You, Father, that the battle is Yours and not mine. I know that my enemies frustrate me. Please reassure me as I place my confidence in You and give You complete control. You’re my King and I place You in charge of my battles. I commit my life to serving You and I know You will never leave me, nor forsake me. Help me to have Your heart and help me not to interfere. Help me to love, because that is where I’ll find victory! Amen.