Not everyone is easy to get along with…. WHAT? Oh, how I wish this wasn’t true, but it is and I sure can’t change it. Would if I could!
Unfortunately, we often can be surrounded with people that tick us off, hurt our feelings, grate on our nerves or just downright bug us. Sometimes it seems that we are magnets for annoying, petty, irritating people. Yikes!
We definitely don’t have to like everyone we come in contact with, but we do have to handle each relationship with love, courtesy and kindness. OHHHH, that is so dad gum hard!!! Especially when I feel like they might be trying to get my goat!
Doesn’t matter. Sigh.
A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another. John 13:34-35
I bet Jesus got frustrated frequently because we humans are so pig-headed. I can’t imagine living a perfect life in perfect harmony with God and then not wanting to absolutely strangle all of the naysayers and complainers hanging around.
But Jesus loved anyway. In fact, he loved us even when we killed him.
And Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” And they cast lots to divide his garments. Luke 23:34
Now, I don’t know about you, but when I read that passage I feel like the biggest jerk.
Here I am complaining that people are hard to get along with and that’s not what matters.
People matter. What I do to help them matters. How I live according to God’s Will matters.
We seem to easily get swept away into the “all about me” syndrome and care less about what we should be doing and care more about what others are not doing for us.
Don’t get me wrong. Being kind and gracious at every turn is hard, but that is why Jesus urges us to lean on Him for our sustenance and strength. We can’t behave the way we should without His help!
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13
We were meant to be in relationships. We were meant to love. And if we keep our focus UP then we will be granted the peace and serenity to deal with all types of people.
If you are having trouble with someone, I encourage you to bring the problem to the Lord. He may not make the other person go away, but He will and CAN grant you peace while you endure them.
Some Wisdom for Today: Proverbs 24:10 – If you faint in the day of adversity, your strength is small.
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