help with bible study

[carpetmanswife]

ok this weeks bible study is on 'dealing with difficult people and or difficult situtations' one i know is the alll famous ignore button . lol But in real life situations id love others input on this topic plz

[MahogonySnail]

I guess with difficult people we could in a number of different possibilities:
a) not deal with them (i.e. ignore them, avoid contact as much as possible)
b) deal with them and try to be their friend
c) deal with them and pretend to be their friend
d) confront them, tell them we don't like them
e) bully them into submission, get the upper hand over their difficultiness

I really think it depends upon the type of person and the situation what method we use.

[NoahsMom]

hmmm difficult people you say? Well, go to them in love ( and mean it from your heart to really try and understand them, and their situation , maybe why they are difficult), it may be for reasons we dont understand, or for reasons no one ever really took the time to try and find out, and by truley extending a helping, prayerful hand, you may become a help to them. Now, if you have given it 100% from your heart, and you can say to the Lord, I gave my all to this person and I done everything I could to help, but they wont listen to me, or refuse my friendship...shake the dust off your feet and move on.

[carpetmanswife]

Originally Posted by MahogonySnail

I guess with difficult people we could in a number of different possibilities:
a) not deal with them (i.e. ignore them, avoid contact as much as possible)
b) deal with them and try to be their friend
c) deal with them and pretend to be their friend
d) confront them, tell them we don't like them
e) bully them into submission, get the upper hand over their difficultiness

I really think it depends upon the type of person and the situation what method we use.

A. is plausible, even a couple of the disciples had to seperate contact.
B. yeah, be not overcome with evil but overcome evil with good.
C. nah , cant be a phoney
D. is also biblical , maybe able to come to a compromise.
E. uhhhh no!
i appreciate your input

[carpetmanswife]

Originally Posted by NoahsMom

hmmm difficult people you say? Well, go to them in love ( and mean it from your heart to really try and understand them, and their situation , maybe why they are difficult), it may be for reasons we dont understand, or for reasons no one ever really took the time to try and find out, and by truley extending a helping, prayerful hand, you may become a help to them. Now, if you have given it 100% from your heart, and you can say to the Lord, I gave my all to this person and I done everything I could to help, but they wont listen to me, or refuse my friendship...shake the dust off your feet and move on.

mhm a verse i thought of today Lori even looked it up again . thanks for that confirmation

[NoahsDad]

Then again theres always the ever popular skillit

[grace]

This is a tough one. Sometimes I think there is no *right* answer. Sometimes other peoples bad behavior and bad circumstances just hurt! GRR!

Bottom line, I think why we focus on it so much is because we recognize the injustice of it....and would like to see the person or situation have consequences....and sometimes...there is'nt any. They just get away with it. That stinks.

I think we have all experienced it...weather in the workplace, in a social setting, even at church or in an environment like this chat.

I think we can all agree that we are supposed to be and seek to be Christ like in our words, actions and our lives...BUT....when others don't do that...it does not give us a license to retaliate with the same behavior (no matter how bad it hurt or how infuriating it is.)
In the end, we are not responsible for what others have done....we are only responsible for how we reacted to it. Sometimes that means becoming a martyr and sometimes that means coming out on top.

The point is to keep out heart and mind pure though in our words and actions irreguardless of what others do. AND...if we fail, repent and move on.

Noone is exempt...we are all guilty one time or another of not conducting outselves how we should. Working on our own hearts instead of worrying about others is easier said than done....but probably the best way to deal with it.

Not sure what you all think of what I have said....but I think this topic is a good one to discuss CMW....thanks for posting it.