How are we to handle frustrations with other people? If we are to have the heart of Christ, do we extend grace and mercy to them at all times? To the best of recollection (perhaps some of you theologians can correct me on this!), Jesus generally afforded grace to others except when people were questioning who He was, what His future was, and how God calls us to act.

Matthew 18:15 tells us that, if we feel someone has sinned against us, we are to go talk to them alone. If that doesn't work, we take a buddy with us next time and beat them up ... or something like that. :-)

I think I can differentiate this reference to someone actually sinning against me from I Corinthians 3:3 which talks about how jealousy and quarreling are of the flesh and acting out of our human-ness. I can understand the need to confront someone who has sinned against me and yet avoid petty quarreling and jealousy.

My problem is in defining when someone has sinned against me. At what point do I afford them grace versus confront them?

I am by nature not a person who enjoys conflict. Some folks thrive on it. I tend to flee from it yet I know that is a fault of mine, and I want to "move forward" in that area.

What I struggle with, though, is the concept of affording grace to someone versus confronting them. Is it primarily a matter of praying over it and seeking His direction?

Can anyone help me with this?