Blog | Greater Formation

What Will You Do With Difficult People?

attitude insecurity intercession judgment relationships Sep 05, 2026

Have you ever stopped to consider how often you are in a position to either be used by God for someone else’s benefit—or respond in a way that harms them?

It happens more often than we probably realize.

Whenever we encounter someone who irritates us, frustrates us, or simply feels very different from us, we have a choice to make. And if we think about our weekly schedules, there are probably plenty of opportunities!

There are two common ways we can respond to awkward or difficult relationships.

1. We may be tempted to write people off.

If someone doesn’t seem to benefit us, understand us, or satisfy us relationally, we may simply dismiss them. We can begin to see them as less important—or perhaps even less valuable—than we are.

In those moments, we may become the abuser, not necessarily through obvious cruelty, but through our attitudes, judgments, indifference, or refusal to engage.

2. We may turn the rejection inward.

Instead of dismissing the other person, we may assume that...

You May Have More Authority Than You Realize

adam agreement authority direction discernment god's image intercession represent resources second adam transformation wisdom Dec 16, 2023

Does it ever seem to you like nothing much is really happening in your neck of the Kingdom of God?

How long has it been since you have seen significant transformation in the lives or health of people you personally know?

Does it feel like you are just going through the motions of faith – which quite possibly is not faith at all?

Jesus lived an expression of faith that made a difference. He seemed to engage heaven and earth - the spiritual and relational, to great affect and effect. Paul referred to Jesus as the second Adam because He walked in the purposes of God’s created order.

God formed people in His own image, and intended them to rely upon His wisdom and direction, and to represent His will, in His authority, on the earth. (Genesis 1:26-28; 2:15-20) Jesus understood this and lived accordingly, saying,

“By Myself I can do nothing; I judge only as I hear, and My judgment is just, for I seek not to please Myself but Him who sent Me.” (John 5:30)

He had an intimate relat...

Does Your House Need A Clean Up?

attention church distraction diversion intercession kingdom needs passion prayer purpose sacrifice Jun 16, 2022

Sometimes the things that seem like they will make our lives easier and more efficient are the very things that can steal our purpose and passion right out from under us.

God’s desire has always been to draw people from all nations into His eternal household. But, “doing church” (or, in this case, "doing temple") got in the way of that purpose in the lives and practice of the people of God. Addressing the people in Jerusalem, Jesus quoted from the book of Isaiah and said, “Is it not written: ‘My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations’? But you have made it a den of robbers.’” (Mark 11:17) When the people came to make sacrifices at the temple they had to bring animals, or grain or whatever was needed. This proved to be quite an inconvenience for those who had a long way to travel, so they developed a system of exchange right at the temple. People could simply bring money and “buy” what they needed for sacrifice “onsite.” This made things much easier for many people, bu...

What Will You Do With Difficult People?

You May Have More Authority Than You Realize

Does Your House Need A Clean Up?

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