For the past four weeks, we’ve examined “difficult people” in our lives. We are trying to discern how best to navigate those relationships because, frankly, they are inevitable.
I hope you found some practical ways to deal with these relationships anchored in the teachings of Christ.
Always look at it from their perspective (meaning, get in their shoes and walk around, you’ll see it differently!)
When someone is upset with you – YOU go and try to make it right. Whether you were the one in the wrong OR NOT. You still go. You don’t talk about it – or them, you just go.
Always make the first move – take the first step.
Be willing to have conversations. Sweeping it under the rug never works.
Forgiveness is the best (and only) path for peace, followed closely by grace.
If you’ve done all you can and they still don’t accept your offerings of reconciliation, it is ok to wipe the dust off your feet, knowing you did your best.
Dawn sent me a link to this Oscar acceptance speech by Joaquin Phoenix (for his role in The Joker). He sums up all we’ve been talking about these past four weeks. I hope you’ll watch this short speech by clicking here.
He states, “We are at our best when we support each other. Not when we cancel each other out for our past mistakes . . . but when we guide each other towards redemption. That’s the best of humanity.”
In the end, he quotes his deceased brother, words River Phoenix wrote when he was 17.
“Run to the rescue with love and peace with follow.”
People running to the rescue with love. What a beautiful image . . . maybe it’s one we each can live out every day!
