How to Deal With Hard Relationships as a Christian

Difficult people are everywhere around you. Right in church, on the road, at your place of work, or even amongst your own family. How, then, can you cordially deal with complicated relationships in an acceptable way before God?

Many difficult people more often come out as bossy, rude, whiners, and even judgmental. They may irritate you and cause a lot of frustration in your heart. This eventually leads to sadness and, at times, bitterness.

However, your reaction to such people’s mean actions will set you apart and glorify God’s name. Be patient in such situations and follow the below-listed steps while handling difficult relationships:

1. Give Thanks To God For Your Hard Relationship.

In 1 Thessalonians 5:18, the Bible commands you:

Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

There is a good reason why God has strategically placed you in a difficult circumstance. All you have to do is to trust God through the painful process of refining you and your faith. By being thankful, you will appreciate that the situation is not in vain but is meant to give glory to God at the end of it all.

2. Be Honest About The Relationship Being Hard.

One of the most important steps forward is acknowledging that your relationship with someone is tough and draining. Downplaying the complexity of your situation does not benefit anyone.

Talk to God about what you are going through and sincerely ask Him to lead you, clear any obstacles, and usher in a new beginning according to His will.

3. Pray For Yourself And Your Tormentors.

God knows the struggle you are going through. Be honest and invite God into the whole situation. Tell Him of your heart’s heaviness and how you would love to have your relationship restored to love, understanding, respect, and genuine care.

Pray with a pure heart for God to reveal your weaknesses. Everyone has weak areas that occasionally rub others the wrong way. How do these weaknesses contribute to the sour relationship? This will help you get a new focus on the whole situation and possibly a divine solution on the way forward.

4. Take A Step Towards Bridging The Gap.

Be mature enough to seek small ways to improve your relationship. Initiate interaction, but don’t give up too fast in case you get a cold shoulder.

5. Seek Help From Spiritually Mature Persons.

The Bible, in the book of Matthew 18:20, says:

^“For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.”

Matthew 18:20

Take a step of faith and engage a trusted person to mediate the dispute, believing that a lasting solution will be found for the glory of God. Engage with an open heart and be gracious enough to accept correction in any areas where you may have fallen short.  

6. When Everything Else Fails, Peacefully Walk Away From Difficult People

If you know you have done all you can, accept the situation, learn the lesson, and move on. Sometimes, it’s healthy to distance yourself from people whose only gratification is to bring you down, look down upon you, antagonize you, or even harm you.

God doesn’t expect us to stay in abusive relationships, just as the Bible in the book of Proverbs 22:24 says:

“Do not make friends with a hot-tempered person, do not associate with one easily angered or you may learn their ways and get yourself ensnared.”

Proverbs 22:24

Though you may encounter difficult relationships along your life journey, always know that God’s grace is sufficient. Remain faithful to God, prayerful and gracious, guarding steadily against bitterness.

Above all, take heart, rejoice in the Lord, and hold firm in love, trusting that God can give you the grace needed to sustain you in any relationship.