Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 3:00 — 4.1MB)
We are examining the people who tend to bring out the worst in us. One reason God allows those people in our lives is to help us see our hidden errors for the purpose of changing us. But the other side of this coin is to ask ourselves if we bring out the worst in others. That is not the kind of person I want to be, how about you? I want to be someone who brings out the best in others.
Now, think about it, does your presence in a situation tend to soothe matters, or do you often just make things worse? Jesus tells us we should be peacemakers, bringing peace into the small wars that go on between people every day. Do you do that? For instance, if there’s an argument on your job between two other people, do you try to make peace in a helpful way?
Often, we can bring out the best in others by giving deserved compliments or recognition, focusing on the positive in them rather than the negative. So often others will improve their performance or their attitude if someone just gives them a little recognition or praise. You can bring out the best in others by commending them when you can.
In Proverbs 15, we see that a cheerful look brings joy to the heart. You can bring out the best in others by something as simple as a smile. You can help them cope better or feel better by the look on your face.
Proverbs 12:18 says reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing. And Proverbs 15:1 tells us that a gentle answer turns away wrath. It’s easy to see that the words you speak can either bring out the worst or best in people.
If you respond to someone with sharp and uncaring words, in a rushed or hasty manner, it can easily cause them to respond back to you in a poor way. But by choosing your words carefully, it’s amazing how you can change that other person and bring out the best in them.
When you’re dealing with someone who is angry or upset, your goal should be to bring out the best in that person, to help him or her calm down. You can do that by being empathetic and sympathetic: “I’m so sorry you’ve had a problem.” Or “I can certainly understand how you feel.” You can help to calm someone down by controlling the tone of your voice, keeping it calm and kind. You can bring out the best in this angry person sometimes by simply listening and caring about the problem. Those are little things that bring out the best in people.
Don’t you think we could impact our world for Jesus Christ if we more and more became people who bring out the best in others? Ask God to make you that kind of Christian.