Romans 12:18
"If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone."
One of the most difficult things in life is getting along with
each other. Husbands and wives struggle, brothers and sisters’ struggle,
parents and children struggle, friends struggle, roommates struggle, co-workers
struggle, neighbors struggle, even people in God-loving churches struggle to get along.
I was once in a heated church staff meeting when the pastor stood up and
screamed,
“Can’t we all just get along here?” We all sat there and thought,
“yea
that would be nice! We are working for Jesus here!” Ha ha!
So what’s the problem? Imperfect, insecure, selfish, broken people are the problem.
We are all “that” person, though some more than others for sure. Let’s just be
honest here, we all want to do what we want when we want, with whom we want to
do it with and no one can tell us different. Not even God. I have had many
conversations with people about, “what God would want in a given situation” and
people get angry when you essentially say,
“you can’t or shouldn’t be doing
that.” Of course when it all falls apart because we didn’t do it God’s way we
scream,
“why God, why me?” And if we are going to struggle in getting along in all
our earthly relationships it only makes since we’ll struggle in getting along
with God.
I wish I had the answers in getting along, but I agree with Paul in the
scripture above, all you can do is get along as much as it depends on you. I
have personally been the problem in relationships not working out, but I also
have been the one doing everything in my power to get along with someone to know
avail. They were too insecure, too broken, and too selfish to humble themselves
and live at peace.
There are essentially three types of people in the world:
1) Easy
People – these people you'll never have problems with. They are emotionally
mature. They do their job and do it well. If they have an issue they come
straight to you, talk to you, clear the air and get right back at the task at
hand. They never gossip, or whisper behind your back. We all love these types
of people! Great to work with. And we all pray for more people like this.
2) Difficult
People – these people have problems, but usually after gossiping they will
eventually come talk to you after creating damage in the organization. They
are immature emotionally. Kind of like a baby, they require extra care
from time to time. These people are not as much fun because they often are a
distraction to the work at hand, though at times they can, after you sift through all the crap, be
helpful. I believe that with coaching these people can become more like the "easy person" in your life.
3) Impossible
People – these people only see problems but fail to realize they are the
problem, they can’t be happy. Nothing is good enough in their little immature
minds. They see everything as a problem. They see everything from a negative
perspective. They are beyond help. Anything that's not their idea is a bad idea. They poison relationships from the inside
out. The best thing is to get them out of your life.
