"Do not make friends with a hot-tempered person, do not associate with one easily angered..." —Proverbs 22:24
Proverbs 22:24 offers some good advice for Christians. We should not associate with an angry person, but sometimes interaction seems necessary. Perhaps it is with a parent or boss who manipulates you to get what they want. Maybe your significant other or spouse has fits of anger. It could be a different situation, but there is a simple way to apply the idea behind the verse without breaking off a relationship altogether. Here are the steps:
1. Ask God to guide you. Additionally, pray that the other person would respond in a favorable way.
2. Remember that you are a child of God, and decide what behavior is acceptable to a child of God.
3. Confront the person to tell them what behavior is unacceptable. Your conversation could be something like this: "I want to talk to you about your yelling. I do not think it is very respectful to me..."
4. When the person tries to manipulate you or starts yelling, remind them that this behavior is unacceptable and "step out of the situation." This could mean telling the person you are hanging up the phone now and will speak to them later. This could mean walking out of the room. This could mean returning to your desk at work.
4. The unacceptable behavior will probably continue for awhile, but it will eventually stop as long as you continue to "step out of the situation" consistently with their unwanted behavior.
It may seem frightening to start this process. You might be scared you will damage the relationship. However, the relationship is already broken. You have a chance to repair it by applying this method. The other person will actually like you more when you insist on receiving the respect that is due to you. God may have allowed you to be in this situation because He wants you to form boundaries and disciple others to become better people. NOTE: If you feel unsafe or are being abused, leave the location and seek help immediately. ANOTHER NOTE: I felt called by God to write this blog. If you feel like this blog was meant for you, send me a message so I can personally pray for you. Blessings!
Proverbs 22:24 offers some good advice for Christians. We should not associate with an angry person, but sometimes interaction seems necessary. Perhaps it is with a parent or boss who manipulates you to get what they want. Maybe your significant other or spouse has fits of anger. It could be a different situation, but there is a simple way to apply the idea behind the verse without breaking off a relationship altogether. Here are the steps:
1. Ask God to guide you. Additionally, pray that the other person would respond in a favorable way.
2. Remember that you are a child of God, and decide what behavior is acceptable to a child of God.
3. Confront the person to tell them what behavior is unacceptable. Your conversation could be something like this: "I want to talk to you about your yelling. I do not think it is very respectful to me..."
4. When the person tries to manipulate you or starts yelling, remind them that this behavior is unacceptable and "step out of the situation." This could mean telling the person you are hanging up the phone now and will speak to them later. This could mean walking out of the room. This could mean returning to your desk at work.
4. The unacceptable behavior will probably continue for awhile, but it will eventually stop as long as you continue to "step out of the situation" consistently with their unwanted behavior.
It may seem frightening to start this process. You might be scared you will damage the relationship. However, the relationship is already broken. You have a chance to repair it by applying this method. The other person will actually like you more when you insist on receiving the respect that is due to you. God may have allowed you to be in this situation because He wants you to form boundaries and disciple others to become better people. NOTE: If you feel unsafe or are being abused, leave the location and seek help immediately. ANOTHER NOTE: I felt called by God to write this blog. If you feel like this blog was meant for you, send me a message so I can personally pray for you. Blessings!