“You bring out the worst in me!” Have you ever directed such a remark at someone for something they said or did to you? If so, can you remember if it was conveyed to them in anger or warmth? Were you angry at them, or glad for them? Did such a situation bring you closer to them, or did it drive you away? Think about it.

If someone interacts with you in a way that triggers such an outburst, are you not openly admitting there is something ‘in’ you that is not right, not good? By the way: Bad people cannot put ‘bad’ in you… but can be instrumental in bringing to the surface the bad that is already in you.

If expressing gratefulness to a medical practitioner for detecting the presence of some physical threat in your life is the right thing to do, then expressing gratefulness to those who bring out the worst in your character must also be the right thing to do.

By nature, every person’s character is flawed in a number of ways, and at varying levels of intensity. It’s a sobering, defining moment in a person’s life when they realise and admit to themselves and others they are not as good ‘inside’ as they should be… and are open to being helped.

Life experience proves there’s much in us that is not-so-good/bad… even worse! Let’s call this condition ‘evil tendencies.’ Such tendencies need to be brought to light and dealt with appropriately, as soon as possible, and by the right person.

There is only one ‘right’ person who can do this… Jesus Christ! (In partnership with the Holy Spirit.)

The purpose for which Jesus Christ came into our world was to bear our worst in Himself, on the cross. Our worst is what He died for! The Holy Spirit works in every true believer, highlighting their worst, that He may receive their permission to remove their worst, away… as far as the east is from the west. The Holy Spirit is the Renovator of our lives… restoring our characters to a sin-free condition!

So, letting the Holy Spirit bring out the worst in you must be a very good thing!