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Mary Hunt Webb is an inspirational and motivational speaker. Mary's husband, Morris, is her prayer support, road manager, and technical expert. (You're viewing the fruit of his labors right now!) Together, the Webbs have traveled to many states to share encouragement and God's love.
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NECESSARY ADVERSARIES
Los Adversarios Necesarios
By
Mary Hunt Webb
Posted Friday, October 28, 2016
As much as we might wish to hide from difficult people, it isn't always possible. [Photographer: Jamin Miller. Photo courtesy of Stockvault.net.]
During the upcoming holidays, many of us will find ourselves in contact with people with whom we do not get along. This happens to all of us at some point. We may wish we could hide from such people, but it isn't always possible.
After dreading such people for years, I found some comfort when I studied the art of writing novels because I learned that each story must have at least one adversary with whom the main character must contend. Each difficult person not only makes the main character look good by comparison, but also causes the main character to grow and become a better person as a result of their interaction. An antagonist adds interest and depth to the story.
As I read the Bible, I also see conflict among the real people whose stories appear there. A prime example is the relationship between King Saul and young David while David was among those that served Saul. (Read 1 Samuel 18:5-16 below for details) First Samuel 18:12 tells us that, "Saul was afraid of David, because the Lord was with David but had departed from Saul." (New International Version)
As the story progressed, David became stronger and more successful while Saul became more frustrated and confused. Like David, we grow when we deal with opposition. While we all prefer peaceful times and like to get along with everyone around us, those aren't the times when we grow stronger. Although challenges are difficult, they strengthen us. That understanding has made me realize that difficult people and adverse situations serve a purpose in my life. They are there to strengthen me and teach me something. My job is to wait to see what God wants me to learn from them because I am sure to learn something!
BIBLE VERSES FOR THIS POSTING
1 Samuel 18:5-16 — 5) Whatever mission Saul sent him on, David was so successful that Saul gave him a high rank in the army. This pleased all the troops, and Saul's officers as well. 6) When the men were returning home after David had killed the Philistine, the women came out from all the towns of Israel to meet King Saul with singing and dancing, with joyful songs and with timbrels and lyres. 7) As they danced, they sang, "Saul has slain his thousands, and David his tens of thousands." 8) Saul was very angry; this refrain displeased him greatly. "They have credited David with tens of thousands," he thought, "but me with only thousands. What more can he get but the kingdom?" 9 And from that time on Saul kept a close eye on David. 10) The next day an evil spirit from God came forcefully on Saul. He was prophesying in his house, while David was playing the lyre, as he usually did. Saul had a spear in his hand 11) and he hurled it, saying to himself, "I'll pin David to the wall." But David eluded him twice. 12) Saul was afraid of David, because the Lord was with David but had departed from Saul. 13 So he sent David away from him and gave him command over a thousand men, and David led the troops in their campaigns. 14 ) In everything he did he had great success, because the Lord was with him. 15) When Saul saw how successful he was, he was afraid of him. 16) But all Israel and Judah loved David, because he led them in their campaigns. (New International Version)
1 Saumel 18: 5-16 — 5) Y salía David a dondequiera que Saúl le enviaba, y se portaba prudentemente. Y lo puso Saúl sobre gente de guerra, y era acepto a los ojos de todo el pueblo, y a los ojos de los siervos de Saúl. 6) Aconteció que cuando volvían ellos, cuando David volvió de matar al filisteo, salieron las mujeres de todas las ciudades de Israel cantando y danzando, para recibir al rey Saúl, con panderos, con cánticos de alegría y con instrumentos de música. 7) Y cantaban las mujeres que danzaban, y decían: "Saúl hirió a sus miles, Y David a sus diez miles." 8) Y se enojó Saúl en gran manera, y le desagradó este dicho, y dijo: A David dieron diez miles, y a mí miles; no le falta más que el reino. 9) Y desde aquel día Saúl no miró con buenos ojos a David. 10) Aconteció al otro día, que un espíritu malo de parte de Dios tomó a Saúl, y él desvariaba en medio de la casa. David tocaba con su mano como los otros días; y tenía Saúl la lanza en la mano. 11) Y arrojó Saúl la lanza, diciendo: Enclavaré a David a la pared. Pero David lo evadió dos veces. 12) Mas Saúl estaba temeroso de David, por cuanto Jehová estaba con él, y se había apartado de Saúl. 13) por lo cual Saúl lo alejó de sí, y le hizo jefe de mil; y salía y entraba delante del pueblo. 14) Y David se conducía prudentemente en todos sus asuntos, y Jehová estaba con él. 15) Y viendo Saúl que se portaba tan prudentemente, tenía temor de él. 16) Mas todo Israel y Judá amaba a David, porque él salía y entraba delante de ellos.
Our job is to wait patiently to see what God wants us to learn from difficult people because they are there to teach us. [Photographer: Paolo Contado. Photo courtesy of Stockvault.net.]
