Dealing with Difficulties

Editorial
By Marjorie Kinnee

Difficult situations... difficult people... such things are common to us all. In fact, it seems that life is fraught with difficulties of one kind or another. David faced a lot of difficulties throughout his life and his Psalms reflect many of them and his responses to them. So did Moses, and Paul, and Jesus. While each difficulty we face brings its own unique facets, there is a Biblical response that guarantees a positive outcome. Let's look carefully at Colossians 3:12 in the NIV...

"Therefore as God's chosen people, holy and dearly beloved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience."

There you have it in a nutshell. Five words, five steps, five secrets, if you will, to dealing with all the difficulties life can throw your way! Let's break them down...

Compassion: a feeling of deep sympathy and sorrow for another who is stricken by misfortunes, accompanied by a strong desire to allieviate the suffering.

Kindness: the state or quality of being kind [kind: of a good, or benovolent nature; considerate, helpful].

Humility: the quality of being humble; modest opinion or estimate of one's own importance, rank, etc.

Gentleness: kindly, amiable, moderate; not severe, rough, or violent.

Patience: bearing provocation, annoyance, misfortunes, or pain without complaint, loss of temper, irritation, or the like; quiet steady perseverance; willing to suppress restlessness or annoyance when confronted with delay.

Note: these are also numbered among the fruit of the Spirit. So they are available to everyone who believes and follows Christ.

Considering this particular verse and these definitions leads to a sure method of dealing with difficulties. Here are a few examples:

1. Jesus, when He faced Judas Iscariot.
2. Jesus, when He was on trial before the Sanhedrin.
3. David, in dealing with Saul.
4. Hannah, when her adversary provoked her sore.
5. Moses, when he dealt with Miriam and Aaron's rebellion.
6. Joseph's dealings with his brothers.
7. Isaac, in the conflict over digging wells.
8. Abraham, in dealing with Lot's herdsmen.

When difficulties come,  and they will... Remember these five helpful keys; Compassion, Kindness, Humility, Gentleness, and Patience. If you can overcome and be victorious over any and every difficulty. The one who, by yielding to the Holy Spirit, conquers his own spirit wins the war -- even when he seems to be losing the skirmish!