Prickly People

No matter where you live in the world, what job you have, what neighborhood you live in, or what school you go to, there is at least one prickly person. This is someone everyone recognizes as a difficult person. They don’t go along to get along—ever! As a matter of fact, they seem to take pride in how they are set apart from their peers. Your friends, neighbors, and family members tend to distance themselves from these prickly people.

But what is our Christ-like response to them? Should we, like everyone else, distant ourselves? Or should we see this prickly person as an opportunity to show the love of Christ?

Distancing ourselves is the easiest and least complicated action when dealing with a prickly person. However, we don’t know why this person is difficult to get to know. We also don’t know if God intentionally placed us in the community of this individual so that we can show Christ to them.

Prayer is the first and most necessary step in dealing with a difficult person. We begin by setting aside multiple times every day to intercede for this person. By asking God to soften their hearts and minds as well as giving us the wisdom in what to say and do, we are prepping for this opportunity. After praying we begin to seek the right time to do something special for them. Again, we are staying close to God for wisdom, but we are being watchful and intuitive.

Expect the best, but be prepared for the worst. You may be the recipient of their rejection, criticism, or jeers. They may ridicule your kindness—don’t let their reactions derail the Holy Spirit’s prompting. You aren’t doing this good work because you are good. You are doing it because God is good and you want to please Him in all things.

Prayer

Dear Lord, You are good, and I want to please You by following the lead of the Holy Spirit when dealing with a difficult person. Give me the strength and wisdom to follow through in Your name. Amen.

In His Service,

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