A sandpaper person is someone who "rubs" you the wrong way. They say and do things that upset you and usually have a prideful attitude. You find yourself avoiding them and running in the opposite direction when you see them coming. Negative thoughts flood your mind when you merely hear their name. We all have encountered at least one in our lives.
The best thing to do is stop running! Start praying.
Get things right with God in your own life first.
"Who can understand his errors? Cleanse me from secret faults. Keep back Your servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me. Then I shall be blameless, and I shall be innocent of great transgression". Psalm 19:12-13 NKJV
"Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast
spirit within me". Psalm 50:10 NKJV
"Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me, and know my anxieties; and see if there is any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting". Psalm 139:23-24 NKJV
Ask God to teach you to love them the way He loves them.
“Be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love.” Ephesians 4:2 NLT
Not one of us is perfect. Remembering this will keep us humbled and less likely to run from the sandpaper people in our lives.If you are a sandpaper person...confess it and turn away from rubbing people the wrong way. God can create, in all of us, a clean heart. Since we have all probably been considered a sandpaper person to someone...pray and ask God to help you walk blameless, to have compassion, mercy and grace when it come to others. Let your speech be gentle. Consider what the other person may be going through.
Have you had sandpaper people in your life? How did you handle it? Do you feel like you grew through the experience? Share your opinion.
Here is a great devotion on how to love sandpaper people. Blessings ~ Jennifer
*revised post from 8/22/08
Jennifer,
ReplyDeleteGreat lesson on how to deal with negative comments.
People do hurt us sometimes but we need to pray and ask the Lord to help us confront the issues in a positive way with them.
Love you,
Dad
It is really hard when the sandpaper person is a Christian brother or sister who should know better...this is when I remember the grace and mercy that our Lord gives us each day.
ReplyDeleteI think one of the hardest things I have learned this year has been to let things go when I wanted to snatch their hair out! Not only letting go...but really giving it to God and loving them in spite of their actions.
I am thankful for how God grows us through the trials and temptations that we experience...it all comes down to letting Him be Lord of our lives doen't it?
I love you Dad! You have always been an excellent example of showing love towards others and I appreciate your godly advise and wisdom.
See you later this week! Hugs and Kisses ~ Jenn
I have revisited your site several times just for the re-reading of this simple message on sandpaper people. I have a sandpaper person in my office and have really used the tools regarding this from your blog. Thanks, keep up the great blogging. It shows that you are being more and more inspired in you topics and information.
ReplyDeleteI loved this - the hardest sandpaper people are those in your family I think. But really to stop and pray about all this really does make it better.
ReplyDeleteI didnt realizer you were blogging I love it and so true. A great reminder!
ReplyDeleteSuch encouragement from the Word, Jen. Thanks for the reminder to be gracious. Blessings!
ReplyDeleteNicole ~ family can certainly be difficult...you can choose your friends...but not your family, right?...my mother-in-law always tells me a great way to pray about tough situations or scratchy people...even family.
ReplyDelete"Change me, change them or change the situation". She also says...if it is not kind, necessary or true...don't say it. It has to be all three...yikes...that can be a challenge...but will end up pleasing the Lord. Thanks for sharing your heart! So glad God crossed our paths!
Miranda & Brigitte ~ you both are an encouragement to me...so thankful to have you in my life! Thanks for leaving your kind words. Hugs ~