As a leader, it seems that no matter what you do, a few people will find fault. Even if you were standing on a corner, handing out free money, someone would complain.
- “What about the people that didn’t know you were going to hand out free money? You’re not being fair.”
- “You’re not giving away enough to make a difference!”
- “You’re encouraging laziness!”
The list goes on.
Honestly, I used to resent these types of negative people. They sometimes still hurt my feelings—especially the ones that call my motives into question. But over the years my skin has gotten thicker. (No comments on my midriff area, please!)
However, I have come to the conclusion that nothing truly good goes unopposed. Jesus Himself said,
Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” (Matthew 5:11, 12)
But what if it’s more than God merely allowing negative into our lives? What if he actually sends them? Before you dismiss this idea, consider two stories from the Bible.
The patriarch Joseph was ridiculed, kidnapped, and then sold into slavery by his own brothers. He was later falsely accused of attempting to seduce the wife of a high-ranking, Egyptian official. He spent several years in prison and was eventually vindicated.
He could have been very angry with his brothers. Years later, when he finally meets up with them again, he is in a position of tremendous power. He could easily have had his revenge. Instead, Joseph said to them,
Do not be afraid, for am I in the place of God? But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive. Now therefore, do not be afraid; I will provide for you and your little ones.” (Genesis 50:19–20)
Or consider King David, who was chased out of Jerusalem by his treasonous son, Absalom. If that weren’t bad enough, a character named Shimei meets him on the road and starts throwing rocks at him. He curses the king and reminds him of all his sins. He says,
Come out! Come out! You bloodthirsty man, you rogue! The LORD has brought upon you all the blood of the house of Saul, in whose place you have reigned; and the LORD has delivered the kingdom into the hand of Absalom your son. So now you are caught in your own evil, because you are a bloodthirsty man!” (2 Samuel 16:7, 8)
Abishai, one of David’s servants, said, “Why should this dead dog curse my lord the king? Please, let me go over and take off his head!” But note how David responded:
Let him alone, and let him curse; for so the LORD has ordered him. It may be that the LORD will look on my affliction, and that the LORD will repay me with good for his cursing this day.” (2 Samuel 16:11, 12).
It’s easy to resent negative people. But what if God has a deep and important purpose for sending them—something that He intends for our good because He truly loves us.
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Last night, our church studied James 1:2-3
2Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.
If God is truly refining us, then he has to send adversity our way to teach us faith, patience, perseverance etc.
Good post Michael, I think you're right on!
I’ve thought of this quite a bit, and I completely agree. Along a similar vein, sometimes I think that God lets us get defeated so He can bless us and make something better happen. Sounds weird, but sometimes when I’ve had terrible things happen to me, I’ve felt God get excited. Not because I was hurting, but because He knew that totally gave Him a great opening to destroy my enemy and restore to me what was stolen a hundred-fold because He likes to help out the underdog. I just wish that would come along and I would quit losing! Ha.
Thanks for the post. I was really blessed reading this article. It was a wake up call for me. Thank you again. God bless you.
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God doesn't 'send' negative into our life. He allows it so that He may 'father' us in, and trough, it, that we may be more of what we are meant to be. Consider Job, the most righteous man in his day. God didn't 'send' the negative (satan), but He allowed it. And what of the outcome?!
Both Joseph and David had that wonderful absolute knowledge of God, that they are in a world of both good and evil so negatives are a mainstay. Both would praise and thank God for good positives, and cry out for his mercies when negatives would come–of course, the Psalms are a perfect reflection of both. I believe God communicated to them whether the negatives were there to specifically teach lessons, there to show God's power in deliverance, or otherwise…
Question: What possibility is present when you encounter negative or difficult people that is not present at other times?
We have the opportunity to show the attitude and actions of Jesus… it's too bad that too often I REACT with human emotion instead of ACT reflecting His divine love.
wow thanks for refreshing my heart! :) true – some will find mistakes no matter what you do!
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the opportunity to listen to someone you would not otherwise give the time of day; to hear their pain, hopes and dream. the chance to grow and to learn.
God loves every person in this world, so when someone is negative towards me or towards other people and circumstances, the first thing I try to do is to pray for him or her. Then I pray that God will give me the opportunity to be kind to that person. As believers in Christ, we shouldn't take someone's unfair criticism personally but use it as an opportunity for God's absolute love to surge into his or her life.
My recent post #24 UNDERSTANDING CHRIST: HIS TRIUMPHANT CRUCIFIXION PART 1
Introspection. Self-reflection. True, heart-felt self-improvement.
My recent post The Most Under-Appreciated Blogs of 2009
I recently asked the question on my blog about "difficult" people, but they are much the same. And what if this person is much closer than a business associate? What if this constant negative person is your mother? A lifetime of grace and mercy toward someone that refuses to see or change is challenging, to say the least.
Negative and hateful people offer the opportunity to practice patience, understanding, and love. It is more difficult to seek out opportunities to bestow these gifts; when the negative seeks you out is an opportunity to love, not hate being bestowed upon you.
Also take note that God never allows anything to happen to us that we cannot handle. God believs and knows that [you] have what it takes. It just may be that He is telling you that. How many times have we said to our children “good job, I knew you could do it” (a lot I hope).
I completely agree. I was thinking of Joseph, then you wrote it. :) If I can quote Beth Moore, who says, and I'm paraphrasing: God does not put us in a position where he brings out the best in us until we've been in situations where he can first bring out the worst in us. Many times putting us in situations with difficult people who will literally bring out (up and out) the worst in us.