How to handle horrible humans

"Have a great day!" *Glare*

"I'm not sure how to do this." "You'd mess it up anyway."

*Shares an opinion* *Is shunned for eternity* We all have someone (or...more than one someone) in our lives who knows how to get us right where it hurts the most. In the moment, it's the shock factor of "Whaaaaaat, did they just say that??" and then the emotions turn sour, and there's either a sadness, or an anger, or both. It's an all around unpleasant experience. However, what matters most in that situation is how you respond to it.

Personally... I have never liked conflict. 9/10 times, I will resolve everything as quickly as possible. But then that 1/10 time happens... and I explode. It's a lack of grace on my part and a lack of Jesus mindset. Instead of the cheesy WWJD thought, I release the kraken. And I'm sure others of you can relate.

"Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me," IS STUPID. What people say has an effect on us. Whether we respond strongly or pretend to not let it bother us, there is an effect.

But let's also think about the other party here. The person verbally vomiting jibes at you (or behind your back) is not in a good place. The person who over-analyzes everything you do and sees and portrays you as the worst person in the world even when you've never done anything to hurt them may be a super insecure and jealous person. Showing these people grace (not in you own power or else you will be totally drained) and love regardless of their selfish actions towards you is what Jesus called us to live like.

In the New Testament, Jesus was being mocked, spit on, lashed. He was suffering all kinds of physical, mental, and emotional abuse. But He forgave them right away because He knew that the people doing that to Him needed more help than He did. Even while knowing that their abuse would literally end up killing Him, he killed them with kindness. And even gave them chances to enter into eternity with Him. So we aren't Jesus. But if we make Jesus numero uno of our lives, we can be more like Him. This is an area in life that I need Him constantly. My immediate thought to unnecessarily rude people is to serve it right back.

But grace and forgiveness have the power to resolve the conflict while sewing up the lil tears in your heart that the other person may have created. HOORAY FOR BEING THE BIGGER PERSON!

2 Corinthians 13:11 "...Strive for full restoration, encourage one another, be of one mind, live in peace...."