HOW TO DEAL WITH DIFFICULT PEOPLE

"Beloved, let us love one another:  for love is of God, and
everyone that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.  He
that loveth not, knoweth not God; for God is love" (1 Jn.
4:7,8)

Determine above all else that you will love all the people
you work with.  Jesus loves us and keeps working with us,
no matter how unlovely we are.  We are to be like Jesus. 
Love will make you overlook people's weaknesses just as a
mother overlooks her children's frailties.  Difficult people
teach us valuable lessons.

     Principles for Responding Correctly

1.  Learn to take criticism.

a.  Ask God to show you if the criticism is true.  If the
person is right, then you should fix the problem, not be mad
at the person who pointed out your need. 

 b.  If the person is wrong, then consider: "Was she sincere?" 
or "Was she trying to hurt me?"  If she was trying to hurt
you, remember her sin is against God.  She has a spiritual
problem.  God allowed the criticism for a purpose.  Maybe
God wants you to pray for this one and take a special
interest in her.  Put special emphasis on loving that person. 
Sometimes you will have a friend for life.


2.  Be sensitive to people's needs.  Be interested in what
interests them.  Notice their strengths and weaknesses. 
Comfort them, show appreciation, listen with concern, pray
with them and for them, and visit with them in their home. 
Show interest in them as persons.  Show them they are
important to God.  They need self-esteem.  Get them to give
their bitterness.  They will consider you God-sent.


3.  Sometimes difficult people are so shy (despite their
loudness), that they don't know how to reach out.  Begin
reaching out now.  You have to pull from them these
wonderful characteristics that they possess.  Get your
practice now!

4.  Ask God to show you what is really important to that
difficult person.  Is she good at sewing, crafts, cooking, etc.? 
Then you can use that as a point of contact to build a
relationship.