Loving Others

"All day long they twist my words; all their schemes are for my ruin." (Psalm 56:5)

Everyone has encountered people who twist their words, plot their ruin, are angry at or jealous of them or who simply do not like them for whatever reason.  There will always be people who are unkind, disruptive, and difficult to deal with.  But, these are precisely the people whom we are called to love and with whom we are to be patient.  We must not let their unloving behavior pull us into being unloving in return.  Instead, we should call upon the Holy Spirit for the strength, courage, patience and wisdom that we need in order to be God's presence to them.

We live in the world and are called to be followers of Jesus in our day-to-day lives, especially in our workplaces, in our homes and with our friends. Let's not let the way others treat us dictate how we treat them in return. Let's be joyful, hope-filled, patient, kind, understanding, empathetic, and loving no matter who we encounter and no matter how they treat us. Let's live in such a way that God's light, love, and peace flow out from us blessing all we encounter.

Prayer:

Lord, I have to deal with some very difficult people in my life.  Help me to be Your presence at all times and help me be patient, loving and wise no matter whom I encounter.  I want to love others the way You love me - completely and without reservation.  May I see You in everyone I meet. Amen.