DIFFICULT PEOPLE - All Our Daily Bread Daily Devotionals for 2026

Our Daily Bread - Saturday, August 7, 2016
by RBC Ministries

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DIFFICULT PEOPLE

READ:

I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;
-Ephesians 4:1-2

THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:
Psalm 72-73
Romans 9:1-15

In the book, God in the Dock, author C.S. Lewis describes the kind of people we have trouble getting along with. Selfishness, anger, jealously, or other quirks often sabotage our relationship with them. We sometimes think, Life would be much easier if we didn't have to contend with such difficult people.
Lewis then turn the tables on us by pointing out that these frustrations are what God has to endure with each of us everyday. He writes: "You are just that sort of person. You also have a fatal flaw in your character. All the hopes and plans of others have again and again shipwrecked on your character just as your hopes and plans have shipwrecked on theirs." This self-awareness should motivate us to try to show the same patience and acceptance to others that God shows to us daily.
In Ephesians, Paul exhorts us to arm ourselves relationally "with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love" (4:2). The one who is patient is better able to deal with a difficult person without becoming provoked to anger and retaliation. Instead, he or she is able to endure, exhibiting grace in spite of upsetting behaviour.
Are there difficult people in your life? Ask God to show His love through you. - Dennis Fisher
Some people can be difficult to love,
And so we do not even try to care;
But God says, "Love them just as I've loved you -
You'll bring Me glory as My love you share." - Cetas

See others as God sees you.

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