Don’t get left in the rain

Let your conversation be gracious and attractive so that you will have the right response for everyone.— Colossians 4:6

One dark, rainy night many years ago a salesman had a flat tire on a lonely country road. He got out to change the tire, but quickly discovered he didn’t have a lug wrench. So, he saw a nearby farmhouse and set out on foot for help.

“Surely the farmer would have a lug wrench I could borrow,” the man thought. So, he walked up to the house, knocked at the door, and saw a light come on in the upstairs bedroom.

“Hey!” the salesman heard from the window. “What’s the big idea getting me out of bed in the middle of the night, you numbskull?!”

The salesman was furious. Frustrated and drenched, he yelled back, “Listen here, buddy! I was going to ask to borrow a lug wrench. But since you’re being a jerk, I wouldn’t borrow it if it was the last one in the county!”

The salesman turned around and walked back out into the rainy night.

You probably read that story and thought the salesman should’ve just explained himself and handled the situation a little more graciously, even though the farmer was being difficult – and you’re right! But how often do we sabotage our own relationships because of pride? We don’t like how this or that person treated us, so we stubbornly turn our backs.

Don’t let your own pride be the reason for division. Handle yourself with grace in all relationships and situations – even with difficult people. That way, you don’t get left out in the rain!

Prayer Challenge

Ask God to give you supernatural patience and grace when dealing with difficult people.

Questions for thought

Think of someone you know who requires an extra measure of patience in your interactions. Have you shown him or her grace?

How can you practically be more gracious in your life toward others?