There are people who are always miserable and finding faults with everything in sight. Then there are others who think they know everything and are expert on every subject you can name – and they’ll let you know it too! They believe their opinions are always right and should be agreed with by one and all.
In every walk of life, we meet people, customers, clients, colleagues, relatives or neighbours who perhaps don’t fit in with our image of happy interesting characters we’d like to know and be associated with.
In brief, they are annoying – and we tolerate them because … it’s nice to do so I suppose.
OK. Let’s now stop and think.
Behind every annoying boring person there is a story. There is something there in their life, their up-bringing, their background which has made them what they are – or what they are perceived to be.
Maybe they are annoying to us because we have not bothered to delve deeper into who they really are. Their shyness, miserable outlook on life, boring demeanour, or their desire to show-off their knowledge may stem from a need to be heard and appreciated. And we should try our best to understand them.
Let’s now look in the mirror.
How are you perceived by those who know you? Are you annoying yet tolerated with a kind smile? Just as you treat those you find annoying?
More important – is there anything about you which God finds annoying?
Wow, that last question really got to me...is there something about me which God finds annoying? I feel like there are many things. I feel like He must shake His head in frustration, as He watches me struggle so, and He must ask, "where is your faith?" very often, among many other annoyances. Thank you for always making me think, Victor, and for challenging me and blessing me in my Christian walk. I got an email that my books have been shipped! Hooray!! I am so looking forward to them! God bless you with a wonderful weekend!
ReplyDeleteI often wonder, in fear, Cheryl, what God must be thinking of me. Maybe He despairs. Does God ever despair?
DeleteI hope you enjoy my books, Cheryl. Thank you for being so kind.
God bless. Happy Weekend.
Around here such annoying people are referred to by two words which have the initials A. H. I've been on occasion referred to by that term. :)
ReplyDeleteI honestly cannot work out what A H stands for; but I doubt you are it, Manny.
DeleteGod bless.
An excellent point, Victor. When I was younger, a wise person told me that you cannot judge someone until you have walked in their shoes. I try very hard to remember that, but I must admit, it isn't always easy! God Bless you!
ReplyDeleteToo true, Michael. We never know what problems the other person has.
ReplyDeleteGod bless you.
Hi Victor! It's funny that I should read this post, because I read one earlier about 'how it's okay to step away from toxic people'. Now, I know there's a big difference between 'annoying' and 'toxic', but I'm not so sure I make that distinction well, or with consistency.
ReplyDeleteI think remembering that judgement has no part of our lives, helps clarify. I may not like you, or be able to tolerate your behavior, thoughts etc., but you still have a dignity that I am not allowed to ignore. That's hard! But the cross never is easy, right?
Blessings,
Ceil
Oh yes, Ceil. There are some toxic people we should avoid, and shake the dust off our sandals. Only I don't wear sandals. I think for instance of people who deliberately talk/preach against the existance of God. It's as if they welcome a debate. A pointless thing to do because they will not change their minds. I met many such people at work.
DeleteGod bless.
I always say the same thing, Victor, What has happened in their life to cause their bad behavior?
ReplyDeleteGood post, My Friend!
Too true, Lulu. There's something in their past which creates such type of behaviour.
DeleteGod bless you.
A good offering for self-examination. The truth can hurt sometimes, can't it!
ReplyDeleteKeeping this in mind as I move through this week. Because those who know me best know that I can veer off into that direction fairly easily ...
:-{
Thank you Linda. Yes, I suppose we all tend to veer in that direction sometimes. And God forgives once again.
DeleteGod bless.