They just 'rub you the wrong way'

[CobaltAngel]

Let’s face it, even as Christians, we all know people that just “rub us the wrong wayâ€

[Roll]

[quote="CobaltAngel"]Let’s face it, even as Christians, we all know people that just “rub us the wrong wayâ€

[Link Antilles]

I can't say I'm the best person at witnessing to people..... my hardest problem is my family.... I've been trying to witness to my Grandfather for a few years, now. He's starting to turn around, but still he's still very hardened by the past. Though, I think it's kind of cool how he's now telling me about his days in Italy during WW2, the reason why he turned away. Anyways, my best advice is don't give up... you find a way to connect with them and pray for them and that they might come around. When, I come to a situation like that, I try not to respond with anger, yet sometimes I just laugh at them when they get mad. In fact one person said to me several days ago, (the clean version) "Why do I never see you, just ticked?" My response "There is peace in my soul, God and laughing keep it there." He gave me a blank stare… I laughed.

[YesIExist]

I'm still trying to figure out that dilemma myself.

[Ashley]

Well, though I am by no means an experienced missionary, I'd say your best bet is to be honest to the Lord about it. Praying something like, "Ok Lord, I know I am supposed to show these people to You, but they really irritate me" and then ask for guidance. Ask for God to pour out the right words in you when you need it. I know He's done that several times in my own life...a great example is when I was chosen to lead a small grou bible study (I have a big fear of public speaking). The right words will suddenly just pour out and you'll know in your heart it's God using you. And that's a great feeling.

But again, my point is our God cares about us. He cares about and knows the personalities He lovingly chose for each one of us, and I sincerely believe that when you ask Him for the right words, not only are you placing Him at the forefront in your life, you're also humbling yourself and allowing yourself to be used by Him instead for Him. See the difference?

Anyway, I'll be praying for you!

[Mave]

To help overcome this challenge, it helped for me to focus on the person's good points, reminding myself that even the most annoying person is God's beloved creation. By experience, that alone made a big difference.

But the most effective way was sincerely praying, asking God to help me love even those who hurts, mock and annoy me. He answered by showing me how every single person is well....a person that God loves regardless of their attitudes and actions. When I learnt how God saw ppl through his eyes, I found it hard to despise anyone anymore and was...humbled as well. I haven't had as much a problem dealing with the annoying ones eversince.

[madphilb]

I'd like to add that our lives speak volumes to people.... words, well, if they don't match up with what people see in our lives, well... it just won't have an impact.

Frankly most people rub me the wrong way.... or many of them do anyway (which is why when someone told me once I'd be a pastor I just about laughed in their face ).

Think on this too, those people may be in your life for your own good as much as you for theirs... sandpaper to smooth out the rough edges (if you're so willing to trust God to teach you how to allow those things to produce fruit in your life). That or the sand that becomes the base for pearls in clams... either one works

[cbwing0]

How do I witness to such people? To be honest, I don't. If by witnessing you mean active sharing of the gospel, I have only done that a few times in my life. When I look at my life, I know there are things that I could change to be a better witness. For example, I was sitting in class yesterday, and someone had to get by me to their seat. In the process, my desk (along with the items on it) fell. When I tried to get something, it fell further through the seats so that I couldn't reach it without moving. I was visible irritated, and now I regret that I acted that way; but I don't know that I would act differently if it happened again.

I suppose the moral of the story is that pride and anger are big obstacles to witnessing; for how can you love someone when they offend the pride to which you foolishly cling?

[EireWolf]

Well, cbwing, at least you realize it and are honest about it. Most people don't, and aren't. They only fool themselves.

[DrNic]

So, what I really wanna ask it, how do I go about witnessing to these people? How can I overcome this annoyance and make a difference in their life?

Don't worry Coby, I've had people like this before and I can tell you from experience that it IS possible to get round it. What I did was focus on being as nice to this person as possible and to act natural around them. Then I tryed as hard as I could to find something good about them that I liked and also to find something that I had in common with them.

Until you feel good around the person it is going to be hard to witness. The person who I witnessed to now goes to my youth group. ^_^ Hope this helps!

[Fsiphskilm]

Most of them are just Immature little teens that think they know everything. And when they ask you about something and you give them the answer they keep going on with their Ignorant ways and throughing more questions at you as if they don't want to know the answer.

Then they stereotype Christianity. And make up a bunch of false laws that God never laid down. Grrrr I can't stand them. To tell you the truth, I'd like to break their legs sometimes (but exersize self control and never do, duh), I mean Gosh I was a bit stubbern but never that Ignorant and Stupid.

[kaji]

I like to call people like this "Sand Paper People", God some times puts them into our lives to help smooth our rough edges out. In other words, this is one of Gods ways of making sure that when we are put to the test, we still hold firm to the bibles teachings. Patience, love, hummility, ect. all these things are very difficult to focus on when confruted with people like this.

The ones that are really low Grit are especialy hard to learn from.

"Ouch God, that really hurts. Just let me knock 'em around a little would ya??...."

(Cool, this was 100th post.^^)

[Danyasaur]

I don't really have this problem cuz' I really don't get out much and don't like lashing out at people, but the one thing I've learned is that if you act with Gods loving kindness it'll rub off on everyone around you, so just pray and be loving and always remember that you can do anything through Christ ^_^

[Luisa8]

You only witness to people who are ready to receive. If they are not ready you can't force them to listen to you let alone receive Jesus. You show Jesus in you by example. Also , we are not to argue with someone who is not ready to receive.

[K. Ayato]

Gravedig!!!

[Psycho Molos]

Massive K-T Extinction era gravedig!! Lol

[Neane]

Hands down, the oldest grave-dug I have ever seen.

[Xeno]

Hands down, the oldest grave-dug I have ever seen.

I've been thinking about doing an old grave-dig like this for a while, now it looks like I don't have to.

[Psycho Molos]

Hands down, the oldest grave-dug I have ever seen.

Older than the Black Lantern power rings bringing Jonah Hex and co back from the grave. Older than Nekron being revived. Older than 80s glam and hair metal.... Older than Freddie Mercury and Zoroastrianism. Lol

[ADXC]

2004, huh? I was just a wee 13 year-old then. XD


Also, you get bonus points for having a grave dig that Ashley was involved with. XD Our once great forum shepherdess. I wonder how she's doing.

[ABlipinTime]

*sigh* And here I was thinking old members were coming back. Fat chance. XD

[firestorm]

you know when it hit's 2014 we should probably do something similar to raiderjoseph's timecapsule idea and do a mass gravedig to see how we have grown since that time. lol probably won't ever happen but it's a thought!

[shooraijin]

Now that the fun's over, Luisa8, please check our policy about dredging up old threads.