Do you have Scrooges and Grinches that threaten your peace at Christmas? Every peace-seeking person I know has at least one Scrooge or Grinch in their lives who tries to steal their peace.
These Scrooges and Grinches can put a damper on our Christmas spirits. But they are custom-made testings for our faith and outreach. I’ve dealt with many of them in my past, and I’ve learned how to handle them better with God’s help. You can too, friend.
How to Handle Christmas Scrooges and Grinches
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If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.
Romans 12:18 (NIV)
The Christmas season is upon us. I’ve found that there’s no other time of year that tests my relationships than now. Since the Christmas season arrives with enormous expectations, many of us feel extra pressure. That pressure tends to bring out the worst in us.
I’m sure you know a few Scrooges and Grinches, as I do. They show up not just in my family situations, but in public places too. Sometimes, their difficult personalities have brought out the worst in me in this most precious season that celebrates Jesus’ birth.
As a Jesus follower, I don’t want the pressure of Christmas expectations to bring out the worst in me anymore. I want those pressures to remind me that I’m an ambassador for the Prince of Peace.
Learn how a peace offering toward the Scrooges and Grinches in your life can increase your faith this Christmas. #loveothers #Christmaspeace Click To TweetUse Christian Meditation to Handle Scrooges and Grinches
I often meditate on Romans 12:18 in the Christmas season. It helps me put on my peace ambassador robe when the pressure of Christmas expectations bears down.
When Paul was inspired to write this verse, God didn’t tell him to make exceptions for the Scrooges and Grinches. He inspired Paul to write the word “everyone,” which has a clear meaning, though the application can be much harder to carry out.
Think about the person who is most difficult to deal with in your Christmas season. Consider the ways you may have intentionally or unintentionally made things worse with them in the past.
I remember times that I explained myself rather than letting them have the last word. When I withheld kind remarks. When I debated fine points that were better left alone. I have complained, criticized and held grudges. These actions did not increase the peace with the Scrooges and Grinches in my life. They only exacerbated the problem.
Put on Your Peace Ambassador Robe
When God helped me see that I was the only one who could change, he showed me the freedom I had in choosing my responses. “As far as it depends on me” is a surprisingly large piece of relational real estate. That’s where I decided to set up my office as a peace ambassador in the country of Scrooges and Grinches. In that area, I can control my thoughts, actions and responses. The Scrooges and Grinches don’t have to change who they are for me to put my peace ambassador robe on.
The Scrooges and Grinches are secretly crying out for Jesus, though they might not know it. They need to see Jesus in me and you. When we put on our peace ambassador robes, they will notice a difference. Let’s do everything we can to promote the Prince of Peace in our words and actions this Christmas.
Prayer
Dear Father in heaven,
Thank you for choosing me to be an ambassador for the Prince of Peace. What an honor it is to serve you!
You know the Scrooges and Grinches in my life, Jesus. You see my sinful thoughts, words and deeds. Please forgive the times I destroyed the peace. I want to do things differently this year.
When the pressure bears down on me, send your Holy Spirit to bear the fruit of peace in me. Teach me how to practice self-control when I relate to others this Christmas. Remind me that through your help, I can wear the robe of a peace ambassador in all my relationships.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen.
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