Hi everyone, I hope you’re all fine by God’s grace. Recently, we’ve been talking about 5 types of friends and how to deal with them. We’ve already talked about a “life of the party” friend, a Mr./Mrs.Perfect friend, a Melancholic friend, and today’s post is about dealing with a susceptible friend.
Do you have a a friend who corresponds to the following characteristics?
- Easily offended
- Hot-tempered
- Fast at drawing conclusions and interpreting every single thing you say negatively
- Always offended by something or someone
- Very judgemental
- Condemns others easily
- Has lots of mood swings (for example swifts from very happy to very angry all of a sudden)
- Shouts easily
You may not have recognized a friend or family member who’s that way, but perhaps you’ve identified yourself in these. Anyhow, this post isn’t aimed at judging anyone but at learning how to deal (or cope) with the susceptible people in our lives.
1. Avoid screaming
Proverbs 16:32 KJV
He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city.
Susceptible hot-tempered people get angry over anything, and when they’re mad they scream. Try your best not to act like them, because if both of you end up screaming you act like them. Rather, you should remain patient, meek and calm, gently maintaining the same tone, in order not to burst out in anger. By so doing, you are showing them the good example.
Remember that if you’re walking on the road and see a pig playing in mud and that pig insults you /provokes you, you may enter the mud and wrestle/fight with the pig. Both of you will get dirty but only one of you will enjoy it (the pig)
2. Forgive them
Ephesians 4:31-32 KJV
Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: [32] And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.
It can be really really annoying to live with someone who gets angry every single second for everything and nothing. Just their temperament may generate anger in you even if you don’t express it. What you should do is realize that you too have your flaws but God forgives you despite all of those. As God forgave you, you should forgive your hot-tempered friend, even it it goes up to 70×7 times (and even more).
3. Pray for them
Matthew 5:44-45 KJV
But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; [45] That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.
People who are always offended, always angry and always angered usually have a deeper problem in side. They may yell at you in order to feel superior or to intimidate you, just because deep down them they feel inferior. Keep in mind that only God can heal all those broken regions of their hearts, and that their attitude is probably an expression of the wounds they gave deep inside. Pray fervently that they may find healing, peace and calm in Christ Jesus.
4. Speak to them (but only after their anger outbursts)
Proverbs 15:1 KJV
A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.
When people are angry, they hardly listen. Reason why you should wait for a moment when they’ve calmed down. Before going to discuss with them, ask God to touch their hearts, so that they may listen to you.
Proverbs 21:1 KJV
The king’s heart is in the hand of the Lord , as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will.
Tell them how much you love them, bit make them notice they’re hurting themselves and others by being so easily angered.
5. Don’t stop loving them
1 Corinthians 13:5, 7 NIV
It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
Romans 5:5 KJV
And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.
Use all the love that God has shed in your heart and extend it to them. When someone feels loved and accepted, it’s easier for the person to change. Also, even if the person never changes, if you’ve learned to love them as they are, you’ll be more fulfilled in your relationship.
Prayer
Eternal Lord King of Glory, help me be patient and loving towards all my friends, even those who are easily irritated. Also, please Lord bless all my friends and loved ones who are susceptible and hot-tempered, so that they may find peace and healing in You. In Jesus Christ’s Name I pray. Amen.
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God bless you.
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