Love: it's a choice

We all know people who are hard to love... they say rude things to rile us up or make us feel small or just contribute to general unpleasantness. There will always be people we don't like or find difficult to be around, but we are called to love them: Jesus was super clear on that. We don't have to bring them gifts every day, but God does want us to treat them with respect.

What would happen if we took time to look for and focus on the good qualities of our 'difficult people'? It can be hard to do, but we can, and so does Jesus think we can! Let's take a look at Matthew 5:46-47 NIV: 'If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that?'

Love is more than an emotion; it's an active (not always easy) choice to treat someone well once we understand that God's love has been given to us. And amazingly, with Jesus acting lovingly becomes easier, until we may actually even want the best for them. God is love and, if we ask him, he'll teach us how to love everyone as he does.



So what now? Make a list of your most-difficult-person's five best qualities, however hard that is, and however long it takes. Then (ready for this?), find a way to tell them those things.





— SCRIPTURE —

'Love your neighbour as you love yourself.' Mark 12:31 GWT
— SOULFOOD —

1 Ki 10-11, Luke 11:45-54, Ps 53, Pro 6:9-11