Handling difficulties

Weakness and limitations are restrictions that we all have, some of us have more than others, but does this mean we are to accept them and give into them, do you play on them, milking them to your every advantage

Make sure the issues you're dealing with are worthy of your time and energy. Often they are not, they are time consuming, painful and can bring out the worst in you. Yes you dealt with hem the best way you can, and often that results in bad feeling all round. Is there a better way? Think about what Paul says in Hebrews 12:3 NAS

'CONSIDER HIM WHO HAS ENDURED SUCH HOSTILITY...' HEBREWS 12:3 NAS

Ask yourself, 'Have I allowed myself to get distracted by something insignificant instead of keeping my eye on the ball?' The Bible says, 'Consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you may not grow weary and lose heart.' Check and see how Jesus handled the circumstances you're facing and you will learn a lot if you do! Jesus did not destroy the other person's self-confidence. He did not stay away from all-inclusive statements like 'you always' or 'you never' ect ect.

Instead, assure them that you have confidence in them and their ability to recover and handle things better next time. After all, that's what God does with you. Correction will do much; encouragement will do much more. Deal with people on an individual basis. Comparisons always cause resentment. Why make the problem bigger? It's easier to be critical than creative, but unless you're willing to help you're not qualified to get involved. Straighten out the problem, not the person. When confrontation becomes a personal attack you only set out to destroy them, but your own credibility and end up in a 'no-win' situation. Your goal should therefore be to leave them with three things:
1. A clear understanding of the problem,
2. The assurance of your love and support,
3. Encouragement and confidence that they can turn it around and that you will be there to help them.

Are these three things easy to do? No. They call for love, patience and Christ-like character. Are we talking about family, friends or close colleagues? NO, we are talking about enemies. A straight forward confrontation will at best put you on level terms with them, and after a frontal attack both will loose valuable ground. Now Jesus attitude was not weak or passive or lovey dovey, no it was from a position of great strength, he knew God was his father, and he knew that he would overcome. In fact he was so confident that he could show love and understanding, knowing that it was the winning strategy. When you know you are good you do not need to prove it. When you know you are weak, you do need to prove it, and the other person knows it. Yes we can all be weak, but you show how weak you are by open confrontation. Try taking the higher ground, rise above the situation, in fact rise so high that you can afford to show love, understanding and care. What is the worst that can happen; the other person will withdraw, not always gracefully, within themselves, knowing that they have made a fool of themselves. Is this not therefore a winning strategy? But when you practice love and understanding you can therefore produce a joy that transcends the problem and you are never subjected to the actions of others.