Awake in the DawnSample

DEALING WITH THE DIFFICULT

WORD

A servant of the Lord must not quarrel but must be kind to everyone, be able to teach, and be patient with difficult people. Gently instruct those who oppose the truth. Perhaps God will change those people’s hearts, and they will learn the truth. Then they will come to their senses and escape from the devil’s trap. For they have been held captive by him to do whatever he wants. 2 Timothy 2:24–26

THOUGHT

This may be the very day someone rudely challenges or opposes your faith. At some point, this happens to anyone committed to honoring God with their lives.

Pride, criticism, and opposition will challenge the person given to fulfilling the will of God. There will be resistance and arguments, and they will seem—and may actually be—unfair. Difficulties will come to the believer in the form of insolence and perhaps from unexpected sources. When it happens, for surely it will, this passage instructs us how to respond in a way that will cause us to grow, honor God, and in the end, possibly invite the attacker to change their heart.

When dealing with difficult people or those who harshly oppose the faith, remember to answer with a kind word and extend the same grace that has been given to you through Christ Jesus.

PRAYER

Lord, your Spirit conducts your will upon the earth in all things. My desire is to honor you. Should there appear in my path someone set to cause harm, please guide me through the circumstance in such a manner to become more like you and provide me with the words to say in that time. Amen.

Forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us.