As pastor and author Mike Robertson writes, the people around you are either making you better or they are pulling you backward. If you want to become all God has in mind for you, you will find yourself in life-giving relationships–and that will include some difficult people, like it or not.

In his new book, Dealing With Difficult People, Robertson explores how we can learn from the ones who cause us the most trouble. With transparency and humor, he draws insight from his own journey and guides readers toward a deeper understanding of:

When to fight for a relationship, and when to let it die The rhythms and rules that define healthy relationships How to deal with offense Overcoming the wounds of betrayal and broken trust

Robertson uncovers biblical relationship principles reflected in the lives of David, Paul and even Jesus, as they navigated the challenges of relating to the broken people around them.

Ultimately, Robertson encourages readers to take a look inward and identify self-defeating patterns that may sabotage their own relationships. After all, the most difficult person we will ever have to deal with in our lives may well be ourselves.