WHEN PEOPLE TREAT US BADLY
Sakkie Parsons
Someone wrote to me and shared how deeply she is being hurt and attacked by the way people treat her, and how difficult it is in moments like these to live out her Christianity. She also told me some of the things that happened to her.
Here is the answer I gave her — and I am sure it can be just as helpful in your own life, because it truly works.
I believe you are being attacked through people whom Satan is using. One could even say that Satan is using them to discipline or torment you.
I say Satan uses them, because when people treat us badly, that is exactly what happens. Satan uses — or misuses — them. They become his instruments, sometimes willingly and sometimes without realizing it.
Your battle and mine, when people act like this toward us, is actually not against them as human beings, but against satan and his forces:
Ephesians 6:12
For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.
Let me suggest something you can do when satan attacks you through people. This is what I try to do — and when I do it properly, it works. I am sure it will work for you too.
Of course, there are times when satan catches us off guard and we do not react as if Jesus is standing next to us. But because the Holy Spirit of Jesus lives in us, we quickly pull ourselves right again, immediately ask our Lord’s forgiveness, and then correct whatever we did wrong.
But when we do have a moment to think before we react, we should say to ourselves:
“It is not my pastor, minister, or someone I deeply respect who is standing beside me as I respond.
It is Jesus. He sees what I think and what I am about to do. If He were in my place right now, what would He do?”
If we do that, we will not go wrong.
Also remember that our Lord will never allow satan to tempt us beyond what we can endure, even when he misuses others to do his dirty work. Because God’s Word says:
1 Corinthians 10:13
The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, He will show you a way out so that you can endure.
If I understand Scripture correctly, there are also times when God uses our circumstances to boast about us — just as He did with Job. I love this example:
Job 1:1
There once was a man named Job who lived in the land of Uz. He was blameless—a man of complete integrity. He feared God and stayed away from evil.
Now see how God speaks about Job:
Job 1:6–7
One day the members of the heavenly court came to present themselves before the LORD, and the Accuser, Satan, came with them.
“Where have you come from?” the LORD asked Satan.
Satan answered the LORD, “I have been patrolling the earth, watching everything that’s going on.”
Of course, God knew exactly where satan had been. But God wanted to boast about Job — a man who was, so to speak, a thorn in satan’s flesh.
Job 1:8
Then the LORD asked Satan, “Have you noticed my servant Job? He is the finest man in all the earth. He is blameless—a man of complete integrity. He fears God and stays away from evil.”
That certainly sounds like a Father proud of His child.
To summarize what follows:
Satan basically said that if he was allowed to attack Job, God would soon think differently of him. So, satan tried — and failed — because God knew exactly why He was boasting.
Read the book of Job, especially the first and last chapters, and you will see what I mean when I say God values deeply those whom He allows to be tested.
I do not fully understand why things sometimes happen this way in the spiritual realm. I only know that they do — and because I know no more than this, it is enough for me.
Because I know that nothing can happen to me, His child, unless it ultimately works for my good:
Romans 8:28
And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose for them.
There is also another wonderful truth about trials and temptations. I know this may sound like the words of a “Job comforter” to some, but it is still true. I have experienced it over and over in my own life:
Trials make you spiritually stronger.
James 1:3–4
For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow.
So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.
Also:
1 Peter 1:6–9
6 So be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you must endure many trials for a little while.
7 These trials will show that your faith is genuine…
8 You love Him even though you have never seen Him…
9 The reward for trusting Him will be the salvation of your souls.
Think about these things, and as I have so often done in the past, you will find deep peace. Because when you have peace, you have something more precious than anything else.
I know of millionaires who had everything the world could offer, yet used drugs, became addicted, and even committed suicide — because they did not have the peace of Jesus Christ in their lives.
But because you and I know these truths from God’s Word, we eventually — even if not immediately — find peace again. Even when we look back on a situation and have to ask forgiveness for how we reacted, the Lord gives us His wonderful peace.
For we know that eternal life with Him awaits us when our short earthly journey is over, if we keep our eyes on Jesus:
John 5:24
“I tell you the truth, those who listen to My message and believe in God who sent Me have eternal life. They will never be condemned for their sins, but they have already passed from death into life.”
This knowledge gives us the peace with which we walk through life.
And when we think of all God’s promises, we experience His great peace in our hearts, even in the middle of our struggles — even when we feel we are only stumbling forward:
John 16:33
“I have told you all this so that you may have peace in Me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”
John 14:27
“I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.”
Greetings,
Sakkie