When God Brings Difficult People Into Your Life

“Bear one another’s burdens and thus fulfill the law of Christ.”  - Galatians 6:2

“Has it ever dawned on you that you are responsible spiritually to God for other people? “If one member suffers, all the members suffer with it…” (1 Corinthians 12:26). If you allow physical selfishness, mental carelessness, moral insensitivity, or spiritual weakness, everyone in contact with you will suffer. But you ask, “Who is sufficient to be able to live up to such a lofty standard?” “Our sufficiency is from God…” and God alone (2 Corinthians 3:5). “You shall be witnesses to Me…” (Acts 1:8). How many of us are willing to spend every bit of our nervous, mental, moral, and spiritual energy for Jesus Christ? Why has God left us on the earth? Is it simply to be saved and sanctified? No, it is to be at work in service to Him. Am I willing to be broken bread and poured-out wine for Him? Am I willing to be of no value to this age or this life except for one purpose and one alone— to be used to disciple men and women to the Lord Jesus Christ.” - Oswald Chambers

In our ministry, we interact with many people who are struggling with the aftermath of a natural disaster.  But, the loss of home and possessions is not the only burden that weighs down on their hearts, souls, and minds. Before the disaster, they had other life struggles which were compounded in their intensity by the disaster.  That being said, frankly sometimes the people we meet are difficult to be around. Ever met someone like that?  Sure you have.  As you are talking to them, you are thinking, “How can I distance myself from this person?” 

Let’s step out of that thought for a moment and consider why are we here.  God saved us and sent us.  Why did He send us? Because people who can’t help themselves need help and hope.  Can anything we accomplish anything that God sends us to do on our own? No.... Never..... So would He really bring us into contact with people who are difficult to be around? Of course.

Then where did the “How can I distance myself from this person?” thought come from?  Answer .. our flesh.  I recently talked with a woman .. single mom .. whose life is a mess .. her son is autistic, suffers with Kleine-Levin Syndrome (KLS), and several other maladies.  Her life before the storm was very difficult. The local church rejected her because of her son's behavior.  And her personality was one that makes people uncomfortable being around her, that's without her son factored in.  Her house was a mess without the effects of the disaster - reflective, I suppose, of her tumultuous life.  As I listened to her, I was thinking of the verse that the Lord gave us … well actually all of us … but Martie and me specifically for this work … Bearing one another’s burdens and [thereby] fulfilling the law of Christ.

What is the law of Christ?  According to Dr. John McArthur, “When Paul suggests that burden-bearing “fulfill[s] the law of Christ,” Paul makes it clear that he has the whole moral law in view. Every act of compassion and self-sacrifice on behalf of others is a practical means of displaying the love of Christ and thereby fulfilling the moral demands of His law. But the Apostle clearly had in mind spiritual, emotional, and temperamental encumbrances — not physical circumstances only. The burdens we need to help carry for one another include guilt, worry, sorrow, anxiety, and all other similar loads. Do you want to fulfill the moral requirements of the Law? Love your neighbor. How do you love him? By bearing his burdens.” 

Serving others is not easy .. it requires sacrifice .. not worrying about yourself and your comfort.  But, that is where we will go if we are not careful.  We will not want to feel uncomfortable.  We will want to experience happy times with others .. but it’s in the valleys that they need to see Jesus in us.  The question is .. are you ready to serve.  I hope the answer is yes.  Just don’t forget that it’s “'Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,' says the LORD Almighty.” (Zechariah 4:6) So the next time you find yourself in a similar situation, don’t ask “Lord, how do I get out of this.” But rather, “Lord what would You have me say or do? Lord be glorified through me.”

Think about it – Pray about it – Believe it – Walk in it. Let your light shine and give God the glory.

By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His Glory Alone