Dealing with Difficult People

We all have difficult people in our lives.  Sometimes it’s the boss or co-worker, sometimes it is a family member or neighbor.  Nobody is immune to having that one person who can push all the right buttons and make life miserable.

So how do you deal with difficult people?  How do you diffuse their effect on your sanity and happiness?  Is there a proven strategy that really works?

Good news!  There is a process to deal with difficult people!  The problem is very few people want to take the necessary steps to handle the difficult people in their lives.

Here is what works:  Meet some need in the life of your enemy.  If you have to deal with a difficult person or an outright enemy, find some need in their life that you can meet.  Look at Romans 12:20, “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink.”

People buy all kinds of self-help books on dealing with difficult people.  Sadly, most if not all of them are a waste of money.  Romans 12:20 works!  It is time-tested and reliable.

Several years ago, I had a fellow business person who said some unkind things about me.  Human nature says to be angry and vengful.  But I took the Romans 12:20 advice and bought him a book, mailed it to his house with a note saying that I hoped the book would bless him, and forgot about the whole thing.

Here is the secret.  Meeting a need of your enemy is NOT for your enemy!  It is for you!  Don’t rent space in your brain to difficult people.  Find a way to meet some need and let them GO!