There are likely people who are just plain, downright MEAN people who are just born that way… though I've not really met any…

Thanks for the food for thought last night, I really needed it and it really was my brain that wasn't putting all together…your writing is perfectly clear.

My point was what if you identify that not-niceness in yourself? That you may be no slouch when it comes to spiritual disciplines, but struggle with being patient and gentle?

Then just as God can heal the molecules in a diseased brain or in a tumour, he can change the molecular structure of your heart, if you ask nicely– and give you a new heart.

I don't see the connection between “the issue” (being arrogance in the light of one's own gifts), and “the solution” (being healing of an organic brain disease).

For me, I have found when presented with “arrogance” and dig deeper that there is often a benign issue that requires patience and understanding and that the reaction of being left “cold” is one that saddens the arrogant.

I've been watching Doc Martin on Netflix (my only source of TV) and see exactly what you're describing. I knew a gal once who by all accounts was Doc Martin. People told me to stay away. Since I'm one to harbor a collection of cool and interesting, yet socially challenging individuals (being one myself), I was intrigued. Indeed, I found her cold and arrogant, so I worked to befriend her :). It took a long time, but having dug beneath the impatience and the arrogance, I discovered a lovely, but extremely shy woman. Let me tell you that I endured a lot of sharp tongue from her and still do when she's feeling threatened, but the toy surprise at the bottom is well worth eating the nasty, dry bran flakes.

The impatience and the arrogance was a shield to keep people away because in reality she had no earthly clue how to have a conversation with someone. I suspect that most of the arrogance and coldness we experience is because that person is extraordinarily uncomfortable with human interaction.

Having dealt with literally hundreds of geeks in my time, this scenario has played out countless times in my interactions. Next time you encounter someone who is arrogant and leaves you cold, I challenge you to make them a friend and show them that they are loved even if they have no ability to properly socialize. Underneath the impatient, gruff exterior generally lies a sweet and lovable prison. Like a lychee, I would say that peeling away the nasty prickly shell will reward you with sweet fruit inside. And if the friending thing doesn't work, pray that hey will find the peace they need in some other friend.