May 14

May 14 4 Ways God Calls us to Love Even the Most Difficult People in our Lives

Gabrielle

4 Ways God calls us to love even the most difficult people in our lives

Do you ever struggle with loving the difficult people in your life?

Does it feel impossible to love on the girl you really don't like ?

Have you ever been so hurt that it turns to anger and results in broken relationships?

Have you ever struggled with being mean or the temptation to gossip?

If you answered no to every one of those questions, then your heart is much better than mine and please share your ways. But if you are like me and have dealt with those things then let's talk about what God has taught me to overcome them.
I get it. You were hurt. They did you wrong or maybe you just flat out don't like them. And that's okay but you are called to a higher standard.

So while everyone might not be your cup or tea, or the words spoken might have cut deep, or actions seem unforgivable, you still need to love them. Despite all the reasons you can think of that leave you feeling hurt or full of dislike there's a standard of Love that God calls us to.

Over the past week I have been intensely studying 1 John and my heart is so convicted and moved. I have been brought to tears by just how much He loves us and so deeply convicted on how we must extend that love to others. The spirit of God and the spirit of hate can not coexist within us. That's why it's so important to be doing heart checks and go deeper then what the world hopes we will do.

There's one person I can think of that the enemy has used to really tear me down. To bubble up every insecurity I have and bring pain to the surface. To speak words that seem to cut like knives and represent what I don't like about myself. If I am being 100% honest, this person did do me wrong but it wasn't their actions or words that were the issue but my heart. The only person that was still being hurt by the situation was me. My heart was so damaged that it was blinded to see how the pain was more a reflection of my own emotion than their actions. One pastor that I really look up to once told me that hatred and anger is just a result of unresolved pain.
My hurt emotions resulted in anger which turned into a strong dislike and bad feelings toward this girl. I couldn't stand anything about them. My heart got so bitter and so cold that it makes me so sad to think about. But even though I might not like them, or like what they have done, I still need to love them.
As a believer we are a new creation, with new life and a different set of values. The old version of us has died and if we strive to be Christ like then that love should bleed deep into each area Of our life. See Jesus acted in love towards everyone. He even had Peter put an ear back on the man that arrested him. Jesus acted out of love, not hate. If Jesus could be loving enough to restore the ear of someone who was going to bring him to crucifixion , we can surely be loving enough to forgive the girl who hurt us.

So here 4 ways God has shown me how I can act in love when even its difficult:

Be prayerful
You have to pray for her. I am serious. As hard as it might be you have to be praying for her and your heart to be softened. Ask God to show you what beauty he sees in them.
2. Understand that we are flawed but all His.
We are all sinners. You hurt people and so has she. But she is still one of his creations and even if you do not want to see it there are good parts of her
3. Be slow to speak & mindful of your Words.
Gossip is going to reflect way more about you than them. What is in your heart will overflow into the words you speak. Be slow to speak and be intentional by not putting them down or engaging in gossip.
4. Let the past be the past Things happen.
No one is perfect, but the past is in the past. We have to learn to forgive like Christ did and let things go

I know that loving someone you do not like feels like a mountain you don't want to climb. The easier choice can be to fester in negativity and allow pain to produce hatred within your heart, but you also know what standard God calls you to. Following Christ was never said to be easy, but is it the best.

Loving the person you hate doesn't have to look like best friends or someone you chat with everyday but it can not look like resentment, gossip, digs, insults or anything that can cause pain or discontent. There can be a way to love deeply without inviting the person to be a close friend. You can pray for them and be kind without being best friends.
At the end of the day we are all brothers and sisters in Christ. He calls us to love. The spirit of God and the spirit of hate can not coexist.

So I pray for your heart and the girl you don't like. That there may be restoration and that God is able to heal the brokenness in those relationships.
What Does Truth Say:
Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.-1 John 4:7-8

My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry,- James 1:19

Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. - Colossians 3:13