Confrontation is a part of life. Whether directly or indirectly, something will show up, and you have to deal with it. A lot of young people are confronted on a daily basis—in school, on the job, at home or maybe in their neighborhoods.

We are living in a time when peer pressure is high and gang and drug lord violence is out of control. We are forced into situations that are almost too much for us to handle. However, nothing is ever out of our control as children of God; the Word of God makes provision for us in every area of our lives.

I remember a time when I had to deal with confrontation. There was one guy who was a bully, and one day he decided that he was going to pick a fight with me. He approached me and demanded my lunch money.

That day I decided to take a stand against him. I told him, "No, you can't have my lunch money." He looked at me, and in front of everyone said, "After school, three o'clock. You and me." He turned and walked away. All I did was watch the clock for the rest of the day.

After school let out, a big crowd of students waited to see the fight. Boy, did I get my butt kicked! Amazingly, we became good friends after that day. It was like he had a new level of respect for me because I stood up to him.

You, too, can take a stand when confronted—not fighting with someone like I did, but taking a stand God's way. Ephesians 6:12 says, "For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers, of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in heavenly places."

When someone challenges you and his or her intent is to harm you, you must realize that the force behind the situation is demonic in nature and is working through that person. The devil's objective is to bring you down and make your witness for Christ a lie.

He will come at you in any way he can—even through another individual.

You must also make a conscious decision to love that person no matter what. Decide that you are not going to stoop to his or her level to solve the problem. First Corinthians 13:6-7 says, "Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes and always preserves."

Perhaps you think that it's too difficult to love the person who is trying to hurt you, but that's why you have to rely on the power of God's Word. The Bible encourages you not to delight in evil (1 Cor. 13:6). In other words, don't allow yourself to get caught up in evil deeds.

Ask the Lord to give you wisdom on how to deal with the situation, and talk to the person who is "giving you a problem." Many times people act without trying to talk things out first, which is a mistake; the situation could be based on a simple misunderstanding.

Proverbs 4:7 says, "Wisdom is the principal thing, therefore get wisdom. And in all your getting, get understanding." When you have clear understanding of a situation, you're able to make wise decisions. When you walk in confusion, your decisions could destroy you.

Decisions are often based in anger when people are dealing with confrontation. Possibly the person confronting you is a very angry person, or you could be angry as a result of their confronting you.

Ecclesiastes 7:9 makes it clear that anger rests in the bosom of fools. Grievous words also stir up anger (Prov. 15:1).

Anger is a dangerous weapon of the enemy that creates a lack of self-control and can ultimately end in death. Perhaps there are times in your life when you can look back and see where your anger caused you to get out of control.

You may have yelled at your mother, smacked your younger sister or brother, thrown a temper tantrum at school or maybe even fought the neighborhood bully. Colossians 3:8 says to keep anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy and filthy language from coming out of your mouth.

When you don't deal with confrontation in the right way, it will deal with you in the wrong way.

Here are some ways to correctly deal with confrontation:
  • Decide to take a stand God's way
  • Realize you are not fighting against flesh and blood, but against spiritual wickedness in high places
  • Make a conscious decision to walk in love
  • Communicate to get understanding
If all else fails, walk away. Most of the time this is the wisest decision. Do your best to avoid people who are always caught up in confrontation.

Creflo Dollar Ministries
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