Do you have people in your life that just make life hard? Or maybe just a person who laughs when you make a mistake? Tries to catch you in error? Maybe someone who likes to pick away at your self-esteem? Do you have someone who is difficult to love?
Yeah, me neither.
Ha. I’m writing this today because I am a bit gut punched by today’s writing in 1 John 2. I can come up with as many excuses as the day is long for why I choose not pray for this person. Or be nice to their face and behind their back, mumble and grumble. This is real for me today and I heard it last night at Bible study and I am hearing it this morning.
Loving difficult people is hard. There needs to be balance here. I am not saying that I become a doormat. I am saying, my words, my actions and my thoughts have impact. Even if this person doesn’t see it, I know the Spirit of the Lord nudges. Here’s the verses:
“Beloved, I am not writing a new commandment to you, but an old commandment which you have had from the beginning; the old commandment is the message which you have heard [before from us]. On the other hand, I am writing a new commandment to you, which is true and realized in Christ and in you, because the darkness [of moral blindness] is clearing away and the true Light [the revelation of God in Christ] is already shining. The one who says he is in the Light [in consistent fellowship with Christ] and yet habitually hates (works against) his brother [in Christ] is in the darkness until now. The one who loves and unselfishly seeks the best for his [believing] brother lives in the Light, and in him there is no occasion for stumbling or offense [he does not hurt the cause of Christ or lead others to sin]. But the one who habitually hates (works against) his brother [in Christ] is in [spiritual] darkness and is walking in the darkness, and does not know where he is going because the darkness has blinded his eyes.”
1 John 2:7-11 AMP
https://bible.com/bible/1588/1jn.2.7-11.AMP
I’m very tempted to clear this post away, but I know I need this transparency in my life. New/old commands. New in Jesus. New because Jesus is the revelation of God. He came to sweep away the darkness and bring forth HIS light. HIS truth. I want to be in the Light, I want to be in consistent fellowship with my Savior. Why do I have to have difficult people in my life?
What does it look like to have the mind of Christ? I cannot hate my brother. I cannot be blind to the impact my frustration has on my soul. SO do I just walk away? I don’t think so. I know, confidently, that the Lord has this in my life for my edification. I truly want to learn this here. I don’t want to hear this here and now and then walk away forgetting.
In Ruth chapter 2, (I promise this will make sense lol) Boaz’s mouth is full of the Lord and full of blessing. Last night I realized how much I want my mouth to be full of the same thing. I want my mouth to pour out blessing. That, in all situations, I am honoring the Lord.
Dear Lord, help me be in the Light today. When my mouth and heart want to choose words of darkness, rather than words of freedom, help me. Nudge me. Move me. You and I both know how easy it is for me to stumble in this regard. Lord, I want change. I want fellowship with you.
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