What is your attitude toward people who frustrate you?  Admit it – there are people in your life who seem to have the not so spiritual gift of frustrating you.  Regardless of your best efforts they have a propensity to take the wind out of your sails.

A lesson I am learning is that the language of the critical person, the overly ambitious person, the person who always needs to make a point – that is the language of a wounded heart.  There is a deep hurt that the person is overcompensating for in his or her life.  What should be your response? The Apostle Paul gives wise advice,

Brethren, even if anyone is caught in any trespass, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; each one looking to yourself, so that you too will not be tempted.  (Galatians 6:1)

The word “restore” literally means “to make fit, to equip, prepare.”   The same Greek word is used in the verses below and I’ve highlighted the word so you can see the various nuances of this rich word:

Going on from there He saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in the boat with Zebedee their father, mending their nets; and He called them. (Matthew 4:21)

A pupil is not above his teacher; but everyone, after he has been fully trained, will be like his teacher.  (Luke 6:40)

Finally, brethren, rejoice, be made complete, be comforted, be like-minded, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you.  (2 Corinthians 13:11)

equip you in every good thing to do His will, working in us that which is pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen.  (Hebrews 13:21)

After you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you.  (1 Peter 5:10)

So your response is not one of retaliation but rather to restore, to mend, to fully train, to make complete, to equip, and to perfect the other person in a spirit of gentleness.  Thomas a Kempis gives us a good perspective,

Be not angry that you cannot make others as you wish them to be, since you cannot make yourself as you wish to be.  (The Imitation of Christ, 1:16)

All of us are a work in progress – show grace to others and to yourself!

Dr. Rick Higgins
Professor of Discipleship, Columbia International University