Ngunit para sa akin, kay Yahweh ako mananalig. Hihintayin kong may pagtitiwala ang Diyos na magliligtas sa akin at ako’y kanyang diringgin.

Mikas 7:7

“Nakakainis buhayin, nakaka-awang patayin.” Harsh. Pero narinig mo na ba ang expression na ito? Ito ay madalas na bukambibig ng karamihan when dealing with difficult people. Extremely challenging kasi ang maging patient lalo na kung alam mong masama talaga ang ugali ng pagpapasensiyahan mo. Pero mas mabigat sa damdamin kapag ang difficult person na ito ay miyembro ng pamilya mo o close sa ‘yo.

Most of the time, we become impatient so instead of dispensing grace to this person, we retaliate and fight back. Kung minsan naman, maiiyak ka na lang sa sobrang galit. But some people would choose to pray for that person. Ang tanong, can you wait for God’s answer even if it means waiting for 25 to 50 years? Kaya tuloy, all you can think of is, “Kailan ba talaga siya magbabago”?

You might know someone who you think needs to change because he or she is toxic, full of negativity, full of hate, unapologetic, selfish, and yet, you love this person so dearly. Kahit na nakakaasar ang taong ito, ayaw mong mapahamak siya. What can you do?

From Micah 7:7, we can learn three things. First, acknowledge that only God can change people. We cannot change a difficult person kahit ano pa ang ating gawin. Only the love of Christ can transform a heart of stone to a heart of flesh. Walang pusong bato na hindi kayang palambutin ng pag-ibig ni Jesus (Ezekiel 36:26).

Second, be patient and trust in the Lord. Kay Jesus ka magtiwala na kaya Niyang baguhin ang taong ito. What you can do is to ask for God’s grace to continue being kind and compassionate with this difficult person. Don’t give up on doing good, be patient. Hindi ka lugi kung ikaw ang unang magmamahal at magpapatawad (Mga Taga-Galacia 6:9).

And third, pray and wait for God’s answer not in your terms but on His terms. Pray sincerely and continuously for this person. Wait in eager expectation na sasagot si Lord sa iyong panalangin upang magbago ang difficult person na ito, kahit gaano pa katagal. Always have an open mind and sensitive heart to receive God’s answer. Maaari kasing ang sagot Niya ay hindi sakto sa expectations mo. Halika, mag-pray tayo.