Genesis 16:12 (NKJV)

‘He shall be a wild man; His hand shall be against every man, And every man’s hand against him. And he shall dwell in the presence of all his brethren.”’

There will always be an Ishmael on our teams. He will live with the brethren and yet be a wild man. How we wished he were dwelling all by himself and not with the brethren, but unfortunately, Ishmael will choose to be wild while remaining with the brethren.

Ishmael is the scatterer on your team or your family. Ishmael brings pain. He is the one who causes the storm; who causes hurt, who stirs the boat, who riles everybody up. And obviously, others do not often like him. Yet he is destined for greatness despite his attitudes and characteristics.

Dealing with Ishmael must not be on his terms. Don’t become an Ishmael to deal with Ishmael. We must be who we are; sons and daughters of the Most High and we must insist on exhibiting the characteristics of heaven, despite the provocations of Ishmael. Ishmael may just be the needed test to prove your heavenly citizenship.

‘Lord, I don’t want Ishmael on my team because of the pain he brings but if You choose to send him to me, O Lord, give me the graciousness of Jesus in dealing with him. I will not become a wild man because of Ishmael, in Jesus name. Amen.’