Do you have people in your life that drive you absolutely crazy? Maybe you can take them in small doses then you have to leave the room. Perhaps it is a family member, close friend, co-worker or an acquaintance. If they get on your last nerve, ask God to give you nerves of steel. If they try your patience like no one else, remember 2 Peter 1:6 ….And after patience, godliness. If something incredibly stupid is uttered every time they open their mouth, praise God that you were blessed with “good sense.” Whoever you are thinking of right now is the person that God is commanding you to go out of your way for today.
I am not sure who the author is of the following story, but it may help you to deal with annoying people on a different level.
One day a teacher asked her students to list the names of the other students on two sheets of paper, leaving a space between each name. Then she told them to think of the nicest thing they could say about each classmate and write it down. When they finished the papers were handed in and the students went home.
On Saturday, the teacher wrote down the name of each student on a separate piece of paper and listed what each person had said about that individual. On Monday, she gave each student his or her list. Before long the entire class was smiling and commenting, “I never knew I meant anything to anyone” and “I didn’t know the others liked me so much.”
The papers were never mentioned again and the teacher never knew if the papers were discussed with parents or thrown in the trash. The exercise had accomplished its immediate purpose. That year the students were happier with themselves and each other.
Several years later, one of the students was killed in Vietnam and the teacher attended the funeral. The church was packed with his friends. One by one those who loved him walked by his coffin. Last in line was the teacher. As she stood there, one of the pallbearer soldiers asked, “Were you Mark’s math teacher?” She nodded, “Yes.” The soldier added, “He talked about you a lot.”
After the funeral, Mark’s mother and father approached the teacher. “We want to show you something,” his father said, taking a wallet out of his pocket. “They found this on Mark when he was killed. We thought you might recognize it.” Opening the wallet, he carefully removed two worn pieces of notebook paper that had been taped, folded and refolded many times. The teacher knew without looking that the paper was the one on which she had listed all the good things each of Mark’s classmates had said about him. “Thank you so much for doing that.” Mark’s mother said, “As you can see, Mark treasured it.”
All of Mark’s former classmates gathered around. Charlie smiled and said, “I still have my list. It’s in the top drawer of my desk at home.” Chuck’s wife said, “Chuck asked me to put his in our wedding album.” I have mine; too,” said Marilyn, “It’s in my diary.” Vicki reached into her pocketbook, took out her wallet and showed her worn list to the group. “I carry this with me at all times. I think we all saved our lists.”
Mark enjoyed many friendships in his short life. Most had their beginning in a piece of paper listing his good qualities. If we would dwell on the goodness in each person instead of focusing on their faults, we might find a loyal friend, a lifelong mate or the best neighbor in your community. Take some time today, write down the name of the most annoying person in your life, and begin to list all the good qualities they possess. If you can only think of one good quality, dwell on that feature. Every day, pray for that person and thank God for the characteristic He has placed in them. Soon that is exactly how you will see the person every time you meet. Better yet, send them a note letting them know how valuable they are to you and God. We may never know the eternal difference we can make in someone’s life.
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