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I never pass a church sign without reading it. There’s always something catchy: “What is missing in CH_ _CH? You are. (UR-Get it?) Anyway, one sign that has always stuck with me was the following: “The way that you love others is an indicator of the way you love God.”

(BTW- TOTALLY with you on the car thing. Recently my car was awarded “dirtiest car” at a Minor League Baseball game. And I did not voluntarily enter said contest. They roamed the parking lot until they found my dirty car and then announced us winners for all to hear…. )

I have a difficult person in my life. She used to cause me great stress, and I considered it a perfectly reasonable stress relief to “vent” my frustrations to my husband. But then one day, I heard God. And God told me that my venting wasn’t helping me, my husband, or my difficult person. If anything, it was just making my venom stronger. I began to pray for her, and told my husband that I wouldn’t be sharing my frustrations about her with him any longer. She is still difficult, but I don’t hold on to my frustration any more. I let it slide right off of me and I lift her up to the Lord. I believe God has used her in my life to help me take off my superiority cloak and put away my righteous indignation and to teach me to be more humble and patient and loving. I have even been able to see her positive attributes. That has been a blessing!

Honestly? I RUN away, get very quiet or make myself (imagine myself) very small and hope they don’t notice me—I’m invisible! :)

As far as restoration, I am praying for it with my parents. Our situation is too long to go into, but we moved away and they disowned me (leaving one small string of communication for the grandkids). I pray to have resolution and restoration! We will visit at Thanksgiving (both our parents). So please pray for me—it won’t be a trip to San Antonio (Siesta Fiesta!!), that’s for sure!

Love you! Holly

Thanks for the reminder. “The people who drive us crazy have been assigned to us…” I know that’s true. I just haven’t been wanting to admit it. It’s just easier to blame them than to believe that they, and the craziness they are bringing into my life, are really from God.

Assigned to me, to bring the worst up and OUT? Hmm, THAT puts a new perspective on things!

My family used to have a really “troublesome” person in our lives. Every time I said his name I practically breathed fire - he made me so angry! He did some really dirty, rotten things and showed no remorse at all for his actions. My husband was absolutely the better person when it came to this guy.

Finally, I had to “pray for my enemy” and that really did do the trick. He still isn’t one of my favorite people, but I don’t spit venom every time speak of him now (which thankfully isn’t often anymore because he moved!)

Well, 1 Peter 3 and 4 in my Bible are hi-lited, marked up and just about to fall out…

The LORD showed me through the painful death of one close relationship that I am never more like Him than when I continue to SOW GOOD SEED into someone’s field even as they blatantly continue to throw weeds in mine.

That was a hard pill to swallow…at first. But God’s Word tells us we’ve been called to this (insult & evil) that we MIGHT RECEIVE A BLESSING. The BLESSING comes as we do things His Way. He showed me through this that He uses everything in a man’s/woman’s heart - good or bad - to fulfill His purposes for me (and you!).

This is part of our lovely death to the old Adamic nature within - a Holy Surgery and I ain’t ne’er heard of a surgery that didn’t involve pain.

I now thank God for her! Because what the enemy intended for evil…God MEANT it for Good! (Genesis 50:20)!!! And I continue to pray for the LORD to ‘save her from herself’ as I pray the same for me everyday…

Blessed be HIS NAME!

Boy do I have difficult people in my life and boy do I not do the right thing! My toes are now sore; thank you. I think I went to that conference, it was amazing, and how easily we forget! Thanks for the post; just what I needed.

I remember how difficult I am to love. And how God still does it anyway. I would always hate it when my husband would point out my unpleasant qualities, but at the same time, it’s been God’s way of showing me the things that are not lovely about my attitude, my behavior, my selfishness. Over time, I’ve learned to receive the criticism and measure it against what God’s word says about my actions and my character. I think Paul describes love delicately in Colossians 3:12-14 “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.â€? Because of God’s grace, compassion and mercy, we are able to exemplify these characteristics. I think through loving in difficult relationships, God transforms us. And prayer for the difficult person is a necessity. Prayer not only lifts them up to God’s throne, but also brings us to our knees of His throne and reminds us of the love He has so generously given us!

Oh my, oh my. This is just what I needed to read tonight. I feel very convicted about my attitude and my toes are also very sore. Thanksomuch!

Just this evening, I had the opportunity to see someone that brings my evilness up (but for some reason its just not OUT of my life…I’m working on it.!) and I chose to remain away. Well, God had other plans, because that person was still in my life tonight. ERRR until I read this post.

(please join me in this prayer) God, please help me to learn through this trial (oh so quickly) so that my evilness will not only be brought up but brought OUT of me! Thank you for all that You are to my life!

Oh how oh how did you know that this is just the Word I needed spoken to me tonight? (and, yes, my toes HURT!)

I so need to work on loving those in my life just because God told me to. I am only responsible for me and how I am obedient. I cannot make others act the way I think they should so they are more “lovable” to me — more easier to love.

God and His Word are so relevant on a daily basis!

I wonder, many times, if I’m THAT person!!

I try to remember when I have THAT person in my path that I am being refined by the Master. Sometimes, it’s after I’ve blown it. Humble pie…well, I have eaten it many times (and it’s not near as good a warm pan of brownies).

It’s funny how often little things, like you finding those notes, happen, huh? I love the way God does that!

I cleaned my car yesterday. I’m not sure it’s ever spent that much time being vaccumed! (I’m ! happy in this post, huh?) I had S/B cups, but no napkins.

Just a little over a week till San Antonio!!!

I am so grateful to have accidentally stumbled on this forum by googling Beth Moore - loving testy people in our lives. It is a study I did awhile back, but can’t find my book…maybe it is in my van! Sophie your notes stating God puts testy people in our lives to bring the worst up and OUT is awesome and just the word I needed to hear. I have a testy sister-in-law, the kind who undermines with a smile and makes me want to erupt. I try to pray for her, but it is not with the sincerity it should be and I am battling the annual Christmas family event repercussions and the attack I underwent from her. Thank you for the clarification that it is my own heart that needs work and to pray for the purging of my self from my heart and to let Jesus love her through me if that is His plan - at least to leave her up to Jesus and worry about my own heart’s condition. God is so good - I love the way He guides us to a place where we can get the message. :) Blessings to you all - Natalie