Subject: 
        Fax of Life
  Date: 
        Tue, 29 Oct 1996 15:56:58 -0800
  From: 
        fol@saddleback.com
    To: 
        abet@grepa.com



THE FAX OF LIFE
A Weekly Service To The Business Community From Saddleback Church

DEALING WITH DIFFICULT PEOPLE
By Rick Warren

        One of the most important skills needed to succeed in business is knowing how to handle troublemakers.   If you learn how to deal with difficult people, you'll be light years ahead of the competition. When asked what he was willing to pay the most for when hiring employees, John D. Rockefeller immediately shot back, "The ability to get along with people."

        Troublemakers come in all shapes...

THE SHERMAN TANK - will run over you if you let him.
THE MEGAPHONE - will talk your ear off.
THE BUBBLE BUSTER - deflates everyone's enthusiasm.
THE VOLCANO - has a temper like Mt. St. Helens.
THE CRY BABY - this chronic complainer holds a pity party.
THE NIT PICKER - is the unpleasable perfectionist.
THE SPACE CADET - is on a different wavelength.

        What should you do with these types?

        Jesus had to deal with a lot of difficult people.  Here are 4 tips we can glean from his life.  I'm including the Bible reference in case you want to read it.

        1.  Realize you can't please everybody.  (John 5:30)
             Even God can't do that!  One wants rain...the other sunshine.

        2.  Refuse to play their game.  (Matthew 22:18)
             Learn to say no to unrealistic expectations.  Confront them by "telling the truth
             in love."

        3.  NEVER retaliate.  (Matthew 5:38-39)   It only lowers you to their level.

        4.  Pray for them.  (Matthew 5:44)  It will help both of you.  Let God handle them.

        Make this Bible verse your goal this week: "If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone."

        Until next week...
FOL #7