By Benescke Janse van Rensburg

Think for a moment about someone in your life that really pushes your hot buttons. Is it your spouse? A grumpy colleague or manager at work? A critical mother-in-law? A building contractor who did not keep his promises? Your rebellious teenager? Or maybe the slow or irresponsible motorist who cut you off in traffic? How do you deal with these difficult people or uncomfortable situations in your life? Do you pray them away or thank God for them?

To be thankful for the above-mentioned people seems almost impossible and inconceivable. However do you realize that this group of people play an important role in your life? Here are two possible reasons for them:

Reason 1: Difficult people or situations reveal what's going on in our hearts.

Difficult people or situations help us in identify things that need to change in our lives. It is no wonder the Psalmist prays in Psalm 139:23-24: “Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life.” Why is it important to the Psalmist that God should point out to him what was going on in his heart? We find an answer in Psalm 24:3-4: “Who may climb the mountain of the LORD? Who may stand in his holy place? Only those whose hands and hearts are pure . . .” God is holy and as we move closer to Him, we will desire to become like Him. Awkward situations and difficult people help us to identify what needs to change - while the Holy Spirit strengthens us to address it.

Reason 2: Difficult situations or people shape our characters.

Our character is more important to God than our comfort. Difficult times and people help us grow, help change our perspective on life and most importantly, it helps us stay dependant on God. It is therefore understandable that in Romans 5:3-5 we read: “...we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope. Now hope does not disappoint...”

I ask you again, who makes life uncomfortable for you? Remember, the slow or irresponsible driver in traffic may reveal our impatience and unnecessary anger in our hearts. The grumpy colleague or boss in the workplace helps us to be reminded that we work as if for God and not man, while at the same time our self-control may be improved. And your rebellious teen, critical mother-in-law or difficult spouse may bring us back on our knees where we are reminded of our dependence on God.

Let us therefore thank God for difficult people and circumstances. He most probably is busy shaping and moulding our characters like diamonds so we would be able to show more light to people around us. God bless.

Father God, I thought I would never say this, but thank you for the difficult people and awkward situations in my life. Help me not to become frustrated, but rather to stay thankful when things in my heart is revealed to me. And please strengthen me through your Holy Spirit to change it. I ask this in the Name of Jesus Christ. Amen.