How To Stay Positive When You Are With Tricky People

2 Timothy 2:2,7,14,16-22-26
 And the things which you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, these entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also. Consider what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in everything.  Remind [them] of these things, and solemnly charge [them] in the presence of God not to wrangle about words, which is useless, [and leads] to the ruin of the hearers. But avoid worldly [and] empty chatter, for it will lead to further ungodliness, and their talk will spread like gangrene. Therefore, if a man cleanses himself from these [things], he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified, useful to the Master, prepared for every good work. Pursue righteousness, faith, love [and] peace, with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.  But refuse foolish and ignorant speculations, knowing that they produce quarrels.  And the Lord's bond-servant must not be quarrelsome, but be kind to all, able to teach, patient when wronged, with gentleness correcting those who are in opposition, if perhaps God may grant them repentance leading to the knowledge of the truth, and they may come to their senses [and escape] from the snare of the devil, having been held captive by him to do his will.

1 Titus 4:15

Take pains with these things; be [absorbed] in them, so that your progress may be evident to all.

    God has a two word plan for how He wants you to treat others.  He wants you to “demonstrate and levitate.”  When you “levitate” something, you lift it up.  Think about a magician who is making a person rise up in the air.  That’s “levitating someone.” But God isn’t into tricks.  He wants you to levitate other people’s spirits. When you are kind, pursuing peace and being encouraging to others, you are demonstrating the way that a child of God should act. And as a result of your words and actions, you will levitate or lift the spirits of those around you. Don’t get caught up in empty, complaining “chatter” that goes nowhere.  That’s what Satan loves, because negative words are like weeds, once they start growing, they quickly overtake your fruitful “spirit-lawn” of peace. Sprinkle and move….sprinkle and move.  Say something helpful. Give every situation your best words of wisdom and counsel, then move very quickly away from negative people who just want to “wrangle” about words by constantly complaining how awful, unfair, or generally yucky things are.    No matter who are you with this day, ask yourself, “What am I demonstrating? Are my words and actions levitating or lifting the hearts of others or are they just making things worse because I haven’t contributed anything productive to the situation, even if all I did was to be supportive and present?”  Demonstrate and levitate.  When you concentrate on these positive actions you will become a “blessing” or a “gift” to those around you.  And as you become absorbed in being an example of God’s Love and Light for others, you will feel better too!