If you came over from Encouragement for Today, welcome!
I woke up unhappy.
I had one of those dreams. You know, where you try to make a phone call and you’ve forgotten how to use the phone. Or you suddenly realize that you are way more exposed than you should be. . .
But it was more than that.
Every conversation Richard and I had over the past several weeks has been heavy. His mom and dad are struggling. Sometimes we just feel helpless to know what to do.
There are times I sit on the floor and whisper through tears, “Lord, we love them so much. Help us.”
We are in a busy season — loving our “grand-littles,” ministering, writing. There are evenings where we sit together, and he’s on his laptop writing extensive notes so that there will be care for his most vulnerable clients, and I’m juggling deadlines so I do “just one more thing.”
So my dreams were launching into crazy episodes of “I can’t fix this,” or “I can’t do that.”
All of them made me feel even more helpless. I woke up exhausted, which made me out of sorts.
In difficult situations we sometimes become difficult people
When things aren’t going well, sometimes the burden of that can change our attitude.
[ctt template=”4″ link=”Pb01H” via=”yes” ]Is it possible that we are the difficult one? God can turn that around. https://ctt.ec/Pb01H+ @suzanneeller[/ctt]
Can we just be honest about that? It’s not what we want. We don’t plan on staying there. Yet it’s a fact. We are cranky. We are tired. We are short with others and then beat ourselves up about it.
In today’s Encouragement for Today devo, we talked about how to treat others who are difficult.
These same beautiful steps can help when we are the difficult ones.
1. Give extravagantly
“Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back.” (Luke 6:30, NIV)
Jesus loves us right where we are. He loves us when we’re prickly. He loves us when we fail to think before we speak. As hard as it is to understand, we don’t always deserve a loving response from Him, but our Heavenly Father gives it in generous measure.
Being loved by Jesus allows us to love ourselves
We are free to give a measure of mercy, even as we work to resolve the problem.
When we offer ourselves mercy, we offer ourselves a way out. We don’t have to remain in the attitude or outlook that we woke up with.
I’m not being trite. I’m there, friend. I’m absolutely there.
When I kneel on the floor as worship music played in the background, the tears are not just about my helplessness, but the fact that God still loves me.
So much.
I surrender these feelings, Lord. They are real, but so are you. Help us. Be with us. Show us how to love in this hard place. Give us wisdom.
Loving extravagantly acknowledges that my grumpy, out-of-sorts self is truly loved by God, and I am not without help.
2. Treat them the way you want to be treated
When I see someone hurting, my instinct is to bring them in from the cold. To meet the immediate needs and then get to the deeper issues.
If we are the difficult person, let’s attend to the immediate. Let’s ask:
Am I hungry?
Am I angry?
Am I lonely?
Am I tired?
Meet those needs. Treat yourself the way you’d treat another person in the same situation. Nurture your physical body with good food. Acknowledge those emotions. If you need others to sit with you, or to encourage you, move toward that person. If you’re tired, give yourself permission to rest.
3. Love unexpectedly
When we feel like we are the difficult one, we often go in the wrong direction. We move away from God instead of toward him. It’s the expected reaction of shame.
Let’s love unexpectedly. Climb into Abba Father’s presence. Let him know how much you love him.
Give him love. Receive his love.
Suzie
When you answer the “Come With Me” invitation, you’ll be forever changed.
Come With Me: Discovering the Beauty of Following Where He Leads
It’s also available through Proverbs 31 Ministries. It’s retail price, but every cent of profit goes back into ministry to millions of women around the world through FirstFive, Encouragement for Today, and free online Bible studies.
What a great and encouraging post, especially if I’m (we) is the difficult person. Great practical steps to flip our perspective, and not to do what we would typically do, run away from God in shame. Thanks Suzie.
I need to read this daily… I struggle with being the difficult one.
I know I will be incredibly blessed by your book. My heart longs to listen to God and move in ways that please him. But we all get cold tired and hungry, right? I don’t know how to not run on empty… Following your page!
Would love to read this book and more importantly apply to my own life.
I can’t wait to read your book. I long to be like Christ & I find myself looking for every possible way to imitate Him & your book talks about that. In my life, I’ve been given so much including health after brai surgery that not everyone who has gone through it is as fortunate enough to have. It seems like loving people, even the difficult ones is one of my gifts, but I’m not always sure how. I never want to be the difficult person, but I’m sure I have been. I’m so thankful for God’s love & know that He has saved not only spiritually, but physically. I know there’s a reason & I want to do everything I can to show my gratitude to Him & maybe this is one of those ways. Difficult people are everywhere & I even think the number of them is increasing. We all need to know how to love them & not become them. Thank you for this.
I need this book. God has been speaking to me of so many things in following him and loving unconditionally.
I can’t wait to read this book!
I would love to win a copy of this book! We recently learned the joy of following the Lord wherever He leads through the adoption of our son from foster care. What a wonderful, crazy, powerful God we have!!
Great reminders of how to treat the difficult people in our lives. And at times I am the difficult one. Oh, how we all need one another along this journey in life.
The Lord has used so much of what you write to speak to me, in this season of my life. I feel like I’ve been in a difficult place for quite some time, therefore, I’m sure, I’ve been difficult!
Would love to read your new book!
I so needed these words this morning. I too woke up in a state of ‘yuck’ as I like to phrase it. It’s as if I stewed all night long in all my human messiness and woke up with it still clinging to me. I ran, not walked, but ran to my quiet time with God. Thank you for the reminder than even in my most difficult moments I am wildly loved by a God who gets me and still has my back! I am so excited about what treasure lies in your new book!
Hmm I think this time I might have been the difficult person.
I really enjoyed pondering how I may easily turn into the difficult person to love. I see that in praying for my enemies and living the difficult people God provides grace in the way of truly forgiving what causes the differences in likes as one truly gives of oneself in more than tangible ways, with their faith then the negativity that feeds off the energy that I may be putting into “defense mode” could be used on my growth in praying for those who are “difficult” to love. It is amazing when you use kindness. Its as if that negative force is gone when you don’t fight with your fists but with your spiritual faith in God. Needed to hear this today. Thanks.
Just loved the devotional. It helped me to realize just love the so called unlovable. Really would enjoy the book.
Suzie, thanks for your blog today! I’ve been quiet and removed at work because my employer let go one of my best co-workers. They didn’t see the value that I did. They judged on what others said, which wasn’t totally true and factual. I’m trying to work through it, keep my opinions to myself since I can’t express in a positive way yet. But I know I have to love through it.
When I read Encouragement for Today, I was in complete agreement with you. Oh, but when I came here and discovered that I could also be that difficult person, scales fell from my eyes. Thank you for your honesty! I would be blessed to receive a copy of your new book.
I need to learn how to deal with difficult employees and difficult situations at work, all of which end up making me cranky and difficult to deal with! I am thankful for God’s grace and love of me even when I am the the most frustrated and cranky one of all!! I was truly inspired by your devotion this morning and would love reading your book! Thank you Suzi!!
This book looks wonderful and life changing!
Thank you for your honest words, I needed to hear this. God bless you.
I have read two of your other books. They both changed me. Would love a copy of this book. Thank you for your ministry.
Perfect timing for this message in my life. Exactly what I am praying to do, need accountability and consistency to make it happen.
I have often been the difficult person and am so greatful God and my people loved me anyway. I struggle everyday to trust and interact with people so it is extremely important to love difficult people. You have no idea what a difference it will make.
I would love to read this book.
Sometimes I think this is me to a T. I would love a copy of your book. Thank you for allowing God to use you to encourage and minister to me.
I attend a support group once a month for grieving mothers. A friend and I were just discussing this very thing! She feels like she is stuck in the season of being a “difficult” person. She knows it won’t last forever. I am definitely going to share with her!
LOVE this sneak peek at chapter 4 of your new book! Good luck and can’t wait to see who wins – you all will LOVE LOVE LOVE and be so encouraged by Suzie’s #ComeWithMe!
Thanks for these words today. They spoke right to my situation. I would love to win a copy of the book.
Would love to have a copy of your book! I’m pursuing God in ways I never have before. I am trying to discern whether he is calling me into ministry of some kind.
Thank you for your words today! I feel like they are there just for me!
Blessings to you!
I enjoyed your words so much and would love to read your book! I was annoyed at a situation yesterday and looking back, I’m wondering if I’m the problem, not the others that I was annoyed with in the situation. Whatever the answer, I need to handle it better:)
This is right where I am and exactly what I needed! I live with a very difficult spouse and am struggling to trust God in the plan for my life. I have been praying for words of wisdom and woke up this morning to find them. Thank you and I would love to read this book whether I win or purchase it is a must have !
Thank you for today’s devotion… Thank you for opening my eyes to see that sometimes I am the difficult person 🙁 with awareness there is possibility for change.
You know, yesterday, several times, I looked at myself in the mirror and said “you are being very difficult”. How timely this devotional and book offer are!! Thank You, Lord, that You always know exactly what I/we need. You know I need Your forgiveness, presence and help.
Wow, you words really spoke to my heart this morning. Thank you.
This sounds like me and that I could grow reading this book and applying it! I’m coming out of a difficult season of depression. I’ve been prayed over, annointed, and I want to do that with others. My Pastors wife recently told me she had been praying about who should lead an upcoming Bible Study and what topic……Could this be the snswer?
What a powerful message! I would really like to read this book, and it would benefit me greatly!
I’m new to your website (couple of weeks or so). When I read your blog this morning my heart said, “I love this women and her honesty. She tells it just like where we are sometimes.” I’m open. I’m vulnerable. My spirit is hungry for more and then boom-(I have to be honest)–the ad for your book threw cold water in my face! My thought–this whole blog was just an ad to get me to buy a book? I’m not sure why it hit me this way as I’m an author too. I sometimes share my book on my blog. Maybe it was just one of “my mornings” where I’m a difficult person :). Anyway, I’d still love to receive a copy of your book.
I sent this to you privately, but also want to address your concerns here, friend.
I hope you’ll check out other blog posts. Out of the hundreds or so that I’ve posted in the past 10 years I share a book from time to time. Sometimes it’s my book, if I believe it will be a good resource. Sometimes it’s other books.
I wanted this to be a celebration and to give away copies of this new book. Come With Me is a journey that changed me, and I want to share that. Not just share it, but give it away.
I’m also in the process of professionally filming 6-8 lessons to go with the book, all free. I write devos for Proverbs 31, all free. As an author you know that money isn’t our goal, or we’d do something differently. My heart is and always will be watching God work in the heart of women. : )
Thank you so much for your honest comment. I appreciate you and that honesty. I really do. We need gatekeepers and I hope I’ve answered your concerns.
Blessings,
Suzie Eller
Susie, thank you for sharing this! I see so many people coming in where I work disgruntled and unhappy that sometimes it makes it hard to keep being cheerful and upbeat. I need to remember to rest in the Father then treat those people the way I would want to be treated. God Bless!
This is such an amazing reminder for me! It is so hard to love the difficult people and to love the nice people who love us. But letting go of that energy draining task of avoiding them, ignoring, or being tough will cause less stress for me when I can just LOVE!! Thanks for this and I’m excited to read your book!
Thank You For this Opportunity plus for the encouragement for Today – Love Raquel Aguillon Hello from LaPorte , Texas Thank You Suzie 😇
In today’s world love and forgiveness or even treating others how you want to be treated goes well beyond your neighbor. Because technology many of us have found connection through online sites and groups. Sadly the negative behaviors in real life happen there also. I struggle treating them the same. Yet somehow God reminds us that it is all and every instance to love beyond, to treat as we want to be treated. As a victim of recent online bullying, who knew it went well beyond school aged children, I have had to lay it at Gods feet. I have had to pray for the situation and those that bullied me. It is so far out of my comfort zone as this unwavering walk with God is newer in my life. I have always believed but never walked as I should and let go to him completely. Your article hits home beyond a level that many may realize as many of us face scenarios that we never thought we would. Maybe God is trying to remind us of everything you mentioned here and we undoubtedly make it to the other side. I continue to walk and be carried when needed, to love, to pray, to treat myself as I would others and others as I would myself. Giving, that has always been the easy part. Thank you,
I don’t always open my Proverbs 31 daily devotional first thing, but the subject line “It’s Hard to Love Difficult People” nabbed me! Then when I read that it can sometimes make me the difficult person, I knew it was what I was supposed to be reading and pondering this morning. I believe God is teaching me to be more merciful with myself so I can extend mercy to others. Thank you for your eye opening words this morning! I can’t wait to read your book!
I am a difficult person, with a difficult mother and a difficult husband. We are going through challenging days and I am so grateful for all of the ways that the Proverbs 31 team has ministered to me over the last few years. Through the emails devotions, First5 app, P31 OBS, and P31 Bible Study I’m now doing – I’ve been amazed how many times God has met me in my need. Including today. I am difficult, but God is merciful to love and direct me to becoming different. I will continue to struggle as He refines me each day, but He is with me all along the way. Thank You Jesus for Your healing.
Love!!! As some others have mentioned, I am sometimes that difficult person… I am also likely to avoid difficult people in my life instead of loving them. I’m getting the hang of not DISliking difficult people, and being able to release bad feelings, but loving them in difficulty is that next big step.
Thank you for your transparency in your writing (books, devotions, blog) and for standing up for God to show us other gals the way.
Thank you for your timley devotion. It encouraged me as I am missing my granddaughter who I have not seen for almost a year and only a few days of her life. I don’t want to be that difficult person but wait for God’s timing as HE provides the finances. To win your book would be a blessing!
“When we offer ourselves mercy, we offer ourselves a way out. We don’t have to remain in the attitude or outlook that we woke up with.” Thank God for having mercy on us and loving us even at our worst. Thank God for forgiveness and new beginnings each day (or even within a day).
Very excited for the Come With Me giveaway!
Thank you for your post today, this is just what I needed to hear. I love how God works and His timing is always perfect. I am struggling with a very difficult person and now realize I am becoming a difficult person because of this struggle. Thank you for the awareness, I look forward to reading your book!
I heard you speaking on my favorite radio station KLRC and was very inspired. I definitely want to read your new book. Thanks for sharing.
I would love to read your book. “And the greatest of these is love.”
I just taught this passage to my middle school AWANA kids. They asked some tough questions. I would love to win this book.
Such great words. Thank you.
Would love to win copy of your new book to read!
This is the perfect devotional for me today. This is something I am currently struggling with.
Excited to read your book!
I feel that I need this book so much!!! I have been walking in the “valley” for over a year now. I do put my trust in God. There are just so many days my heart breaks!!
Praying that you continue to find the strength to persevere, Kelly! I have found myself in valley’s so many times in life, and yet, looking back, I realize that God was always there. Trust in His promises! He has seen the other side of this wilderness, and He knows exactly the steps that need to be taken for you to get there. Worship Him in this waiting time… it is often there that He wants to offer us the most growth! Allow Him to restore your soul as you press onward. Praying for you!
Thanks for sharing your journey and lessons learned!
I really really need this book! So often I think that most of the difficulties with the people I love come from me and my grumpiness.
No matter how mean I can be to my husband he still lives me and treats me so good. I don’t deserve him but God has other plans and blesses me with his mercy each day. I know I’m probably the difficult person and I need to always remember that when dealing with other people. Lord guand my mouth and heart.
I would love to have your new book. Suzie’s book “Mending Heart” and the Online Bible Study really helped me a while back during a time when I needed God to do some mending in my heart and life.
So timely. I woke up this morning feeling beat up from the last couple of days. Thank you for the strategies of loving, giving and the reminder of doing it through Him (not me!) to show His love and grace today.
So much truth here! Thank you, Suzie. I’m looking forward to getting your book when it is released. God bless!
This is one of the toughest lessons for me…my dad (& other family members) set the example & taught ‘beat sense into them’ when dealing with difficult people…so when I feel unheard or unloved I have to fight against & restrain my ‘lash out – take control’ emotions. I look forward to reading your book🌈
Praise & blessings on your ministry & all you do today🙏🏼
I think I need this book. One way God has helped me with my flaws is by forgiving me. I don’t always find myself as a difficult person unless forced into a corner. I find I try so hard to deal with a difficult person and the more I am giving, forgiving, trying to understand the more I feel like the true “doormat” by being walked on. I want to give up so many times.
DO NOT GIVE UP, Debbie! It’s totally reasonable to create healthy boundaries with those who are consistently backing you into corners. Ask God to guide you as you determine those boundaries with certain people. Trust me, He will! I’ve been there, honey. Stand strong in HIM! Praying for you!
I don’t see my comment now, so will re-do and hope it posts. I feel like the way God has dealt with my flaws is by forgiving me. I don’t always think of myself as a difficult person unless forced into a corner. I feel like the more I give, try to understand, forgive etc the more I feel like a human “doormat”. I really could read this book. So many times I feel like giving up.
Thank you! You words seem to hit home exactly when I need them to.
This book sounds like just what I need. I am always getting so busy, I become very project focused and feel like I’m missing my cue from God to be doing what he wants me to do once I’ve started something.
I really needed to see this today. I feel like this was written for me. I juggling a lot right now (my husband has a brain tumor and isn’t working right now due to his health, I’m working full time as a nurse, and managing two busy kids and I am just making ends meet by myself right now….) I’m tired, I’m lonely, I’m hurting, I’m stressed…..so many things and I think here lately while trying to be the strong one I’m also becoming difficult at times.
I would love to read this book.
wow typos sorry about that I meant to say “I’m juggling a lot” and “I am just not making ends meet….”
Thank you for your words. Would love to read your book!
I need to be reminded of this every day! Thank you so much for your loving words of wisdom from our Heavenly Father.
I don’t believe in coincidences, and I believe today’s blog post is God speaking through you to me. Yesterday my divorce was final. My husband left us 2 years ago for my best friend, and even though they aren’t together anymore, he hasn’t been willing to work on our marriage. To say he’s been difficult is an understatement. Over the last 2 years of pretty intensive personal counseling, I’ve come (most of the time) to love him in a way that defies logic and can only be from God; it’s also a way I never loved him before. Not romantic love. Just love. For who he is, for the broken man God shows me when I want to strangle him for being difficult. For the father of our 3 children. It’s also allowed me to take some really long, hard looks in the mirror at myself, and how I have been the difficult person for most of our marriage. I can’t go back and change that, unfortunately. But I can repent, ask forgiveness, and learn from it. “Do your best until you know better, then do better”.
Thank you for this.
Bless you, Allison. Praying for you as you continue to walk through this new journey of life. Christ will NOT fail you, honey! Keep pressing into Him, and keep pressing on!
I am in a very difficult marriage….my husband is always angry. I am so tired of hearing him scream at me and my boys! I am very defensive and exhaused of defending my family.
I could use a different approach
Thank you.
Father, I ask you to give Denise wisdom in her marriage. I pray that you would fall upon her husband and do a work on his heart and in his life. Offer grace and love in the midst of this family, and give them the strength to look only to you for answers. In Jesus name, Amen.
Praying for you, Denise! Have you talked to your husband about possibly attending a christian marriage counselor with you?
Just what I needed to hear today as I contemplate on taking a step of faith and opening up myself for God’s work in my life. We sometimes ask for that and when God takes us up on it, we question and squirm away from what He has asked of us. His love is so extravagant and I forget that. And because I forget, i find it impossible to give extravagantly of myself to others when they need it. I somehow learned to receive well but not give well. Thank you for this reminder!
I will definitely be adding this one to my reading list! Thank you for your words of encouragement today!
Loving your daily words of encouragement! Now reading Unburdened Heart and loving it!
I developed severe migraines in January 2015. That began my journey with chronic pain. I went for an MRI of my brain and found out I had Chiari 1 Malformation, which is a fancy term for an unknown disorder in which my brain was falling into my spinal canal. I had a successful brain surgery in May of 2015 but to this very moment, I suffer chronic migraines, neck pain, and back pain. With all this pain, I admit I am probably a difficult person to live with at times. I know difficult people in my own life and being one mtself, I know how much extending God’s Love can make a difference, both extending it to myself and others. I strive to live like Christ, with His heart, and this devotion was very helpful.
I’m so sorry for your suffering, Jen. Praying for a complete healing within your entire body, and relief from your pain. May He offer strength daily as you press onward to continue living!
A friend of mine has a young daughter with this condition; she was diagnosed last fall. Praying that you are able to find relief and answers, and also peace in knowing that God has a purpose for you, and loves you beyond measure!
I desperately needed to hear this message today. I got into an argument with my father over the phone on my way to work. It’s a difficult situation, and I need to give it to God and allow him to work through me and show Christ’s love to my father. I need to extend grace to my father, as opposed to immediately jumping on the defensive. I cannot control this situation, and realizing that has been tough. I sincerely thank you for your insight. Have a blessed day.
Desperately trying to follow where and what He has for me.
Thank you for your encouraging words and love!
Thank you for your good thoughts today…I shed tears also when I remember that God LOVES ME – all the time, even when I am the difficult person! I am going to share this with friends on FB!! It’s a great message! I would love to have a copy of your book!
I would love a copy of your newest book! I did the Mended Heart OBS last year @this time and it was a great blessing to me at a difficult time in my life.
I would love a copy of this book. I believe it would help me to grow in my love of the Lord. Thank you for your ministry and your words which come straight from the Father’s heart.
Thank you for your encouragement this morning. I have been a difficult person lately and this really helped. I would love to read your book.
Thank you for this encouragement. My husband and I have been struggling and it’s been difficult to love and feel loved. I would love to read your book.
You are such a blessing to others. You meet us right where we are and let us know we’re not alone. God bless you!
I would love to win a copy of your book. I am trying to fill my free time with learning more about how to live my life in a Godly way. Reading this devotional has been a blessing. Thank you.
It’s better to say something to people than not acknowledge what’s going on. Let people know where they are but be there for them.
I need to admit I’m the difficult one these days. My husband will attest to that. There is much going on with my mom and dads health. At the end of each day, I just want to crawl into bed and be alone. I’m scared, stressed and worn out. I needed this stomping on my toes reminder on how to deal with myself.
I live in a small town in Oklahoma but we’re so blessed to have a Christian book store in it!! I will be asking them to stock it on their shelves! 🙂
As a “back to the fold” sheep, I’ve been looking for a book to use to start a small in-home bible study for myself and a few friends… I think I just found it.
May the blessings of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you and all those you are ministering to!
Patricia Anderson
Orbit Skate Center
Prague, Oklahoma
I needed to hear this message. Thank you. Would love a copy of your book.
Would love to win a copy of your book.
You offer such hope and encouragement to everyone
to help get closer to our lord. We are living in such hard times..
This was perfect for me and my husband today. Thank you!
Just what I needed to read today.
Its been difficult to follow the path God has led me on the past 2 years. Would really
love a copy of the book.
Suzanne, I have been excited about this book ever since I saw a post for it two weeks ago…This devotional hit me right where I am because I am currently caring for my ex mother in law and while I care for seniors as a career this has been a totally different journey…and I have found myself feeling helpless and alone trying to help her…I know God wants me with her of that there is no doubt. I just want to make sure I am bringing Him glory in this situation and I feel I am falling short at times…Your book speaks to my heart in that I feel it will take me on a journey with my savior that I have not experienced as of yet. And I am excited on where that might take me and how I will grow even closer to Him in the process…God Bless!!!
Thank you, Suzie. I NEED these tips…somedays it’s really hard to love a certain person in my life, and that’s terrible, because she is my mom. I WANT to love her differently so very badly, and I pray that my heart is changed towards her. Your tips are so good, and your book sounds awesome. xoxo
This speaks to an on-going issue I have of not dealing with people who annoy me as I should. It was made very clear to me yesterday in Bible study that I am to love everyone and treat them kindly and lovingly when I could almost feel the Holy Spirit sitting on my tongue to keep me quiet! Now I need His help to stop the thoughts before they get close to falling out of my mouth! This commentary was such a strong reminder that we are not alone in our struggles and He will offer encouragement and strength if we just ask and pay attention. You, Suzie, are my strength and encouragement today! God bless you!
Thank you for insights! I’m thankful for God’s forgiveness of my flaws. May I be the same with others!
I read your devotional through 31 ministries. It stuck a chord with me. And your new book sounds like just what I need. We just listened to God’s call and made a major life change or 3. Can’t wait to read your book.
Not sure if I am posting in the right page for your “Come with Me” book or not. Your page is awesome and has a lot of information but when you are new to it there are challenges to navigating :). So as I read your post I really didn’t think shame had a place in my life anymore but after some life disappointments, instead of drawing near to God, I wandered off his path for me and made choices I am not sure of and as you made the statement about not drawing near to God and those in our community because of shame and as I draw nearer to him again, I am definitely struggling with the choices and have walked away from community “due to shame” so this has highlighted an area I very much need to give to him and follow where he leads.
I’d love to read this book and then share with my daughters..thanks for the opportunity!
Burdens are lifted at Calvary. The Lord our God is always with us. P.S. The movie God is not Dead #2 is very well done. I was very moved by it. If get a chance, go and see the movie.
I came from Proverbs31.org, and boy did I need both these articles today! Thank you for sharing. I would love to read your book, and pass it along to my three girls!
I posted on Facebook 2 days ago about running into people that I do not care for and feeling like a hypocrite, smiling and saying, how are you? I know we are supposed to be kind to everyone. Today, my co-worker sent me your article on getting along with difficult people. God’s timing. I have subscribed. Thank you for this, God’s timing, and a friend who doesn’t mind to lend a hand. It is a good example of a Christian for someone like me, who is uncertain of her faith some days. Thanks.
I would love to read this book.
I would love to read this book 🙂
Would love this! Have had one particular difficult relationship for years.
Suzanne, thank you so much for this message! Sooo applicable to my every day! I would love a copy of your book and have been asking myself, “what if I were the 13th disciple?” Oh my! Life changing!
Your new book sounds great & I would love to win a copy!
I would love to bury my nose in a copy of this book! I’ve had a difficult week and your words helped me realize that it’s God’s Will. I’ve had harshness thrown my way and have been a little hurt. My first inclination is to react negatively, but these words reminded me to act in love, kindness, and be Kingdom best! Thank you!
I would love to win a copy! I’ve been drawn to finding where God wants me to say yes and where he wants me to say no. Your book sounds like it is in the realm of what I have been reading lately! Bless you in this busy season.
I would love to receive a copy of your book. Just starting my journey and need words of encouragement.
I get cranky when I am bored …
So I have to read …
Or make cards or do something to interactive the mind …
“Has anyone else noticed that simple Spring cleaning turns into a demolition and remodel of sorts …
I have still not gotten the project I started out to do finished …
It became seven other projects along the way …
They are all in semi states of disrepair” …
“I will finish before summer” … she said Cheerfully ..
Posted two days ago on Facebook …
(Another room tomorrow) …
However tired is not a good state for me either …
I go beyond crabby right to down right frighting 😀
The cry out days are days when I don’t even like myself …
And it is best to stay away from others …
P31OBS’ Studies are AWESOME …
We will be doing this book when? (hint hint) 🙂
Thank You for never giving in to ‘not writing urges …
Blessings and Prayers for your and family …
Give “grand-littles” an extra hug please 🙂
Would love a copy!!
Thank you. I so enjoyed reading this. I am totally in love with this book. I would love a copy. I want to give one to my mom. Since my dads passing in October she has been struggling. I keep trying to give her the encouragement it just does not seem to be working.
I just realized something. I wonder if what I am feeling with all the encouragement that I am giving my mom and its like going in one ear and out the other is how she felt all those years trying to do the same with me. I guess it does come back around.
So thank you.
Sounds like a good read. Looking forward to reading this:)
This looks like a book that would be very encouraging in my current season. Thank you for this blog as it was exactly what I needed to read today.
Would love a copy! Enjoyed devotion on proverbs 31 that’s how aide it over to your blog and found this book. Thank-you for your words they ring true for me.
How I made it
Coming over from Proverbs31, excited to hear of your book and loved the post today! Thank you!
I know I’m difficult sometimes.
Ahem! You must have read my mail in the past! I tend to be a worrier, not good, but then I become difficult because I worry. Again, not good.
Your post speaks to me that I don’t need to let circumstances and difficulties determine my response. I need to be consistent in love and trusting God.
I would absolutely love to read your new book and learn about the journey God took you on and how it transformed your life. I really need God to transform and bring healing to my life. Thank you for the great giveaway!
I come from a family of difficult people.
This book will speak to all of us, no matter which age group we are in. We all struggle through difficult times.
I would love to receive this book to help me continue to grow in Gods love. I had the pleasure of meeting you and hearing a message through you at a Women’s Conference. Thank you for this message! When you keep an open heart and mind, God will fill it with His goodness! I do have a few difficult people in my life. After I read and study with this book, I will share it with someone else that can also continue to Grow in the goodness of the Lord!
Can’t wait to read this book! This is similar to what I started writing about to help others see how God uses the unlikely to meet his ministry. You and yours are certainly blessed. Thanks for blessings us aso well.
I’ve been a difficult person myself. I struggle with lonliness and loving difficult people. I pray this book will by the power of the Holy Spirit help me…
I need more of this, all of this, nothing but this pouring into my heart right now. Which of your books (and any other resources) is most related to this topic and most helpful to someone struggling with these issues?
I may be too late to enter, but would love to read this book.
Tara, Michelle, and Stacy, you are the winners. I sent a private email to each of you individually! Congratulations!
Like you said a couple of days ago, it’s so interesting, but my church is doing an in depth study…both in sermons & in small groups of Luke called “Follow”. I am going to say Yes & read your wonderful book. I just finished the Bible Study that P31 had on “I Know His Name” & it seems like this would be a wonderful Bible Study also. I’m so looking forward to reading this. a few weeks ago I read a devotional by Alicia Bruxfort that touched my heart so deeply. It changed everything. It was about King David. Her son asked her why a King, who could have everything, would ask God for just one thing. That ever day his heart would be closer to God’s heart. Ever since I read that, every day I pray that prayer to God. And every day, I’m finding ways to come closer & closer to God. Thank you. I’m sure your book will be a wonderful book & it will help my heart grow closer & closer to Jesus. I love Him so much.