Strategy to Defeat the Crazymakers in Your Life

For many years, I dealt with difficult people the best way I knew how. I went with the moment. In my twenties, I allowed people to walk over me and talk to me in a rude manner without getting too unglued. Over the years, my patience went out the window and my tolerance with it. I got to the point that if you looked am me wrong, you heard about it. That, I know now, is called pride. I used to define it as a proper defense mechanism as if every day I was entering a boxing ring. I had counterattacks, verbal judo, and a prowess for "low blows" long before my "rival" knew what was coming. I have found that this type of constant "defense" causes personal guilt, constant apology, and wrong "first impression assessments" on my part.

This past week, Rick Warren laid out a lesson plan of sorts on how to deal with difficult people or as Warren calls them... #crazymakers. I have many in my life as I am sure everyone does. His first recommendation is to "refuse to be offended" or don't take things so personal. We tend to grow tough hearted not tough skinned. Proverbs 12:16 says "When a fool is annoyed, he quickly lets it be known. Wise people will ignore an insult". Wow.. is that ever hard to do... Remember when people are being rude, they are revealing what is inside them, not what is inside of you". Spiritual maturity is largely measured by how you treat those who mistreat you.

His next piece of advice is "Don't wait for an apology to forgive". Col 3:13 says "You must make allowance for each other's faults and forgive the person who offends you. Remember the Lord forgave you. so you must forgive others".

Third is "Refuse to gossip about them". We all want affirmation, but gossiping is unloving. Gossiping is retaliation. You will receive a blessing by saying "NO" to gossip.

Fourth is "Refuse to play their game". The mocker is dangerous and can be contagious. We are to flee these types as much as possible. Mockers and crazy makers use conflict to gain your attention. Do not give them that. The fifth point is to "refuse to cave to their demands". Remember that meekness is "strength brought under control".

Warren's last piece of advice is "Always take the high ground". You have no control what others say and do, you do have 100% control over how you respond. "If someone has done you wrong, do not repay him with a wrong. Try to do what everyone considers to be good. Do everything possible on your part to live in peace with everybody". Romans 12:17-18.

Now if we can just practice one of these points through out our day, we will be rewarded. Let's stop being shallow and pursue a higher ground.

Comments

Failure is a Gift

I sat in the room, nervous. I had sensed this moment coming all week. Though I felt a small comfort and peace, deep inside, I was terrified. I was bracing for the letdown—far from my first. I made small talk with someone twenty years my junior, knowing that soon, he would ask me to step down. That reality was hard to face. My mind drifted back to my first year as a deputy. I had called my father repeatedly, distressed over my fifth write-up. Each time, he told me to thank them for the discipline, not to quit, and to keep my head up. But I was overcome with sorrow. I felt like a failure. Maybe I could earn straight A’s, but I had no common sense. I feared I would never catch on. I was beginning to give up. Still, my dad insisted I keep going. In my first week alone, I had discharged my weapon—firing over sixteen rounds at a bull on Super Bowl Sunday. Not long after, I found myself in a full-blown foot pursuit of an escapee, my face, mostly pride battered from the struggle. My track...

My Weapon is a Melody

Every day can be a battle. A battle for our hearts, a battle for our minds, a battle to discourage, a battle to get out of bed, a battle to be content in whatever state we are in, a battle to bless God even in the darkest times. Satan seeks to crush and destroy us. When we are so focused on our own pain and battles, we are less useful. Think of a nice shiny car, but with a broken hose. This small hose can cause the entire car to be out of commission. This too is how Satan works in our life. He may sit back and watch us break with the smallest hose. That is all he needs to put us out of service. Many of us have been out of service for quite some time. This is because we have so focused on goals or things that may be outside our purpose. How do we fight battles in our life and overcome them? What should our only purpose be? Praise and worshiping God. That is it. God is constantly seeking out people who just want to worship Him. We constantly ask for blessings in our life, but how many ...

Hurricane Milton: The Anxiety Chronicles

October 8th is National Face Your Fears Day, and many Floridians are confronting that reality as Hurricane Milton approaches, less than 24 hours away. While the news is filled with alarming phrases like "explosive Category 5 hurricane," it only amplifies the anxiety of millions who already struggle with fear. Yet, in the midst of this, we must remember who is in control of the storm. "You rule over the surging sea; when its waves mount up, you still them." Psalm 89:9 "When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you." Isaiah 43:2 "The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in him." Nahum 1:7 The prophet Haggai had a word for the Israelites when they were focused on beautifying their homes and lives. They had the best decor, the latest tech, and endless feasts, but Haggai called them to take a hard look at their priorities He said, “You’ve ...

I Am NOT Just a Number

Search This Blog