“These People Are the Problem!”

“These People Are the Problem!”

By Steve Backlund

This is an excerpt from my book, Let’s Just Laugh at That!. It is a book that teaches us the power of laughing at lies. To laugh, we need to let go of the beliefs supporting our negative strongholds in our minds. 

Main lie: I cannot fulfill God’s call because of the people in my life.

Supporting lies (laughable assumptions):

• God is surprised and completely hindered by what the people in my life are doing. Their choices make it impossible for my calling to be fulfilled.

• The fulfillment of my calling is more determined by others than by me.

• What is happening in my life cannot possibly be used for God to give me even greater influence and ministry.

• I married the wrong person, and because of that, things are hopeless.

• If a relationship isn’t instantly beneficial, it can’t take me to my calling.

What is the truth?: Many godly ones have overcome difficult people. 

• David had a dad who did not believe in him, brothers who belittled him and a king who tried to kill him, but he still fulfilled his calling (1 Samuel 16:10-13; 17:28; 24:1-2). 

• Joseph fulfilled his dream and destiny even though his brothers sold him into slavery, Potiphar’s wife falsely accused him of rape and the chief butler forgot him (Genesis 37:23-24; 39:7-23; 40:23). 

• Jesus overcame dysfunctional disciples and a religious community that opposed Him. 

• Noah and his family were the only righteous people of his day, but he still fulfilled his calling (Genesis 6:13-22).

Strategies for Overcoming This Lie:

1. Renew your beliefs about the people in your life – Begin to believe that problematic people or relationships are actually opportunities to go higher in God. 
   

2. Believe in the power of His calling on your life – God has an uncanny ability to cause us to fulfill our calling despite difficult people in our lives (see examples above). Even if we have made wrong relational choices, He will help us (as He did for Samson) to still make a tremendous spiritual difference (Judges 16:4-30).
   

3. Understand that your response to the people in your life is more important than the people themselves – The response to Jesus by the people in His hometown had a greater impact on their breakthrough than the fact that He was present. Rather than looking for new people in our lives, let’s look for new mindsets about the people already in our lives. This does not mean we stay in abusive relationships, but it does mean we can get a plan to increasingly see people as God sees them.

Declarations to Renew Your Mind With Truth: 

1. I see people in my life as strategic opportunities, not obstacles. 

2. I have renewed mindsets about my calling and the people in my life. 

3. I celebrate my progress in stepping into my calling every day.