Today’s scripture: Matthew 5:43-48 (ESV-text and audio) (KJV) (The Message) What might God be saying to me?
My thoughts (Brenda Corbello):
There are days when most of us feel like we are surrounded by difficult people. I would like to share just a bit of insight into how I try to cope.
Before I begin, let me tell you that I am not always successful. Sometimes, I try avoiding the difficult people; sometimes I am more likely to just give them a piece of my mind. It is during these times I realize that this reaction might just make me harder to love. Repaying anger and hostility with more anger and hostility, rarely — if ever — gets me what I want. And, I am pretty certain that that is not God’s plan for me.
What I have to try to remember is that it may be hard to believe, but the Lord loves that difficult person in my life just as much as the Lord loves me. And God seeks that person’s welfare as well as mine. That’s why Jesus commanded us to love the difficult people in our lives.
This can seem like an impossible task. There are so many people hurting each other for reasons that I cannot understand. But love doesn’t have to mean a sappy, sentimental feeling toward these people. I can love them even if I do not approve of what they are doing. It does mean I need to have a commitment to their well-being as well. As hard as it may be to fathom at times, I do truly believe that God loves everyone, and has a plan that is bigger than I can imagine. This commitment to their well-being may require that I put my own feelings to one side and try to emulate God’s attitude in a difficult situation.
We are also reminded to pray for those who would cause us difficulties. Although I have found that hard to do at times, I have also noticed that it’s difficult to remain angry with someone that I am praying for. I seem to be able to see them with more understanding when I bring them to prayer. Try it some time. Make a note to pray for that difficult person every day for one week. See if you can still see them the same way when you are done.
What I also try to do sometimes is to stop and give some real thought to what makes me think that the other person is being difficult. Is it because they are standing in the way of me getting what I want? Is it because something that they say, or do, that makes me feel bad about myself? I have to be very careful not to label someone as a difficult person just because they disagree with me or have mannerisms that make me uncomfortable. I have to remind myself that we are all servants of the same Lord, and as Paul asks, “Who are you to pass judgment on the servant of another? It is before his own master that he stands or falls” (Romans 14:4).
I try to remind myself that I need to realize that how I relate to people is not dependent on their character or actions, but on who I am — a child of a Heavenly Parent who pours love on the righteous and unrighteous alike. I am not always that easy to get along with. I need for people to be patient with me.
Thought for the day: I encourage you to take some time in prayer today and remember those who are causing you heartache. Ask God to bless them, and to bless you in all your dealings with them.
We encourage you to include a time of prayer with this reading. If you need a place to get started, consider the guidelines on the How to Pray page.