God Can Turn The Hearts And Minds Of Difficult People

One of the most comforting thoughts is God really is in control. He can do anything. He is never not in control.

That includes when you and I have to deal with difficult people. People who are unreasonable. Maybe they are cruel. Downright evil. Manipulative. Controlling. Dishonest. Malicious. Hurtful.

Such people could be in your family. They could be a co-worker. They could be your employer. They might be politicians, in law enforcement, a teacher, coach, or professor. They could be a landlord, pastor, deacon, or church member. They might be your next door neighbor.

Such difficult people can make life miserable. They can steal your joy if you let them.

I want to share a verse I read yesterday that helps when dealing with difficult people. Proverbs 21:1 (ESV) 
¹  The king’s heart is a stream of water in the hand of the LORD; he turns it wherever he will. 

Let's take a closer look at this proverb. First, God holds the heart of Kings and powerful people in His hands. Nobody is bigger than God or more powerful. Here is the powerful truth. 

Jehovah, the LORD, can turn a king's heart. That means Jehovah can stretch, extend, incline, overthrow, pervert, and cause to yield the heart of any difficult person. That person may not even be aware God is doing it.

 He did this with Pharaoh in Exodus. He can use wicked people to accomplish His purposes without them even being aware God is doing that. He can put thoughts in the minds of difficult people like when Pharaoh decided to let the people of Israel go free. Even when Pharaoh  changed his mind and pursued them God was turning his heart again. Through the death of Pharaoh and his army God received much glory. The fame of God spread to other nations all because he turned the heart of the King of Egypt. 

God can turn anyone's heart. One stroke of God's hand can turn the difficult person's heart like ripples in the water. He has done this all throughout history but how quickly we forget when we are the ones dealing with difficult people. 

Here is the other truth we need to remember. God can turn their heart where He wills. That means He can turn their heart where He desires, delights, likes, and pleases. God's purposes cannot be thwarted ultimately. Look throughout history at the number of wicked people who wanted to obliterate Israel. For awhile they ceased being a nation though they never ceased to be God's chosen people. Today Israel stands again as a sovereign nation though they exist in the powder keg of the Middle East with enemies on every side. Jehovah will not let them be utterly destroyed. 

The next time you are dealing with a difficult person remember Prov 21:1. Pray that verse over that difficult person over and over again. Stand on that promise and watch what Jehovah does next.