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.

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