“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.” John 13:34
Sounds pretty simple in theory, right? I mean, I’m a lovie person. I like to make others feel loved. So yeah--CHECK!
But then I consider this quote by Mother Teresa: “Your true character is most accurately measured by how you treat those who can do ‘nothing’ for you.”
Wow. THAT is not so easy.
So it go me thinking. How do I love those who are DIFFICULT TO LOVE? We all have these individuals in our lives. Their name probably pops into your head as you read this. How do we OBEY God’s command to love THESE people the way HE loved us? He DIED for us.
And YES--He really does ASK us to do this for Him.
Here’s a secret: when you don’t think YOU have the strength to love those people genuinely, you must PRAY FOR THEM. And don’t just pray for them, pray that the Holy Spirit will pour Christ’s love into YOUR HEART.
This is a difficult prayer to pray in the beginning. But little by little, God will work His magic & melt that ice around your heart. He will help you love those who don’t really deserve it. Keep in mind, at the end of the day--none of us DESERVE to be loved. But God loves us anyway.
Remember, before you roll your eyes or say something under your breath or look the other way, PRAY.
Xx