Today’s Encouragement is, “Again I say, don’t get involved in foolish, ignorant arguments that only start fights. 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 2:23-26 NLT
Difficult people-
We encounter them everywhere, at work, at home, and even at church. seems there is always “that one person.” And arguing, quarreling, and fighting are their home turf; often, it’s all they understand, and usually, they are very skilled at it!
For our own sake, and theirs as well, we can gently instruct these people with patience, kindness, and wisdom.
We can choose to place our emotions under God’s control, to exhibit patience, kindness, and even love toward the various difficult people in our lives. We can pray for them, and for the humility to be kind to them.
As the final verse reveals, they are in “the devil’s trap. For they have been held captive by him to do whatever he wants.”
When we engage in their quarrel, we step into that “devil’s trap.”
They may not hear us or respond as we hope, but we remain true to ourselves, kind, gentle, and patient with the difficult ones.
Father, we admit we’d prefer that everyone were kind, gentle, and patient, but we quickly recognize that we ourselves are often not. Help us to be strong in grace, and to instruct the difficult ones gently, for we were once the same.
Kindness
Steven Curtis Chapman
https://youtu.be/oE5w52Ji6Yw?is=e8xSAqEokDiIOgWs