Pastor Mary Haley

In Paul’s second letter to Timothy, he said, “You should know this, Timothy, that in the last days there will be very difficult times.  For people will love only themselves and their money.  They will be boastful and proud, scoffing at God, disobedient to their parents, and ungrateful.  They will consider nothing sacred.  They will be unloving and unforgiving; they will slander others and have no self-control.  They will be cruel and hate what is good.  They will betray their friends, be reckless, be puffed up with pride, and love pleasure rather than God.  They will act religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly.”  2 Timothy 3:1-5. Do you ever find yourself facing difficult people in your family, friends, neighborhood, and job?  I would add church to that list, but we all know no one in church work could be difficult, right? ha!

No matter where you go in life, you will find people who can push your “wrong” buttons and start you off toward the negative.  But, God tells us that His grace is available when we need it and that love never fails (Hebrews 4:16 and 1 Corinthians 13:8).   We are called to share the love of Christ.  What does that look like?  Over the next few weeks, I would like to chat about different personality types and some possible coping strategies that might help us.  As well, I would like to invite you to share positive things that have worked for you.

Difficult Personality # 1:  The Tank.  This person runs over the top of everyone in site.  Whether or not he/she means to do so, you feel run down and drained by this personality type.  It’s a control issue.

Possible Coping Strategy:  In my experience, drawing power swords with this personality is really futile.  I am trying to listen and pause before responding.  Some days I do that better than others; duct tape would be a good thing on those days.  Speaking the truth in love is important (Ephesians 4:15).  Choose to take a stand with the issues and things that are really important; learn to allow those things that are not important to slip through your emotional fingers. Pray for wisdom to know the difference.

God calls us to be transformed by the renewing of our own minds; the way we think must change in order for us to be models of transformational living as followers of Christ (Romans 12:2).  We bear personal responsibility for our spiritual maturity; no one else can make the decision for us.

God’s Word and Spirit give us the power; the authority for eternal change.  Therefore, if we find ourselves stagnant in our call to discipleship, we have limited the power of grace (according to Spurgeon Grace is the Mother and Nurse of holiness and not the apologist for sin).  Sometimes we resist this Grace-nudging change because it means we need to turn away from certain mindsets and actions–sin; God wants to bring a greater revelation of his love for us by delivering us from the things that hold us back. But the process of change, in Christ, is painful.  Do you find yourself resisting the good things God desires to bring into your life that means change for you?  The battle for change takes place in your thought life first; it’s the enemy’s stomping ground.  What happens in your thoughts that tries to hinder the Spirit’s transformational work in you? 

We all desire to offer something worthwhile in life; a way to make a relevant contribution to the well-being of others.  In order to bring that valuable contribution and make powerful connections, it is necessary to know yourself; to offer the best you.

Missions is a way to love and serve others.  “How far you go in life depends on your being tender with the young, compassionate with the aged, sympathetic with the striving, and tolerant of the weak and strong.  Because someday in your life, you will have been all of these.”  George Washington Carver