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Listen while you read: "Rejoice And Be Glad"1 (Lyrics) |
Some people put their foot in their mouth, but seem to enjoy the taste. Some people rub us the wrong way, but act like it's the right way. Some people know how to push our buttons, and we detest that they can have so much negative impact on us!
It's true: Some people just drive us crazy. They're people at school or work or church, or in our family or at the arena.
But as people of faith, this doesn't sit well with us. Why? Because Jesus' command, "Love one another" (John 13:34 NIV), echoes in our ears. So how can we be at our best when some people put us at our worst?
Today, let me suggest just one thing to un-stick our thinking and propel it toward a more loving place.
When we pray, think of the people we don't like, and then, thank God that Jesus died for them, too.
Here's the thing. Jesus loved us so much that He died for us. But guess what? He died for other people, too — and not just the ones who make us feel hunky-dory, but the ones who make us scream, tear out our hair, and run for the hills.
I write a daily devotional called "Up!" at TheUpDevo.com. After I originally wrote about this idea, I heard back from several people who told me (a) how hard it is to do, but (b) how much it makes their attitude more loving.
If we want to be at our best even when some people put us at our worst, then when we pray, let's think of the people we don't like, and then, thank God that Jesus died for them, too.
I'm guessing that God will use that prayer to un-stick our thinking and propel it toward a more loving place.
Start today!
We may not like everyone, but there are things that we can do to start loving them. Please join me in this prayer:
Prayer: Lord, thank You for __________. I know that You love them and that Jesus died for them, too. Help me live differently as a result. Amen.
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Thank-you! It worked!
Something to think about.
Thanks for sharing, Matthew.
Thanks, Matthew. Definitely a hard task!
Amen. Thanks for a great idea! Blessings.
Good morning Matthew, What a novel idea. I will try it. Thanks for sharing.
Excellent devotional. It certainly rings true for me.
Thank you, Jesus, for your unconditional love.
“When we pray, think of people we don’t like, and then, thank God that Jesus died for them too”. My immediate thought was that there are some that would pray for me because I fall into that category.
Matthew,
I need to remind myself of this moment by moment, sometimes. Thank you for the clear reminder.
(California, USA)
Hello
This is amazing!
It is so true we are not asked to love but it is a command!!
I find before I go out the door, I ask God to help me to see others through His eyes.
God bless you and I will be checking out your site for sure.
I’m the one who often rubs people the wrong way. Praying for all interactions within the family of God and outside it. May we be more like honey and less like vinegar.
BTW, my Dad always said when we point our finger at someone else, we’ve got four pointing back at ourselves.
Thanks for sharing. Blessings.
Hi Matthew,
Your devotional spoke to me, so I checked out your link. Human trafficking is also something I am very concerned about.
I am part of a Social Justice Committee at my church in a small city. In the past few years, we have tried to raise awareness about human trafficking in our community. We have initiated discussions with local police about human trafficking. We are along the 401 and attract traffickers in the sex trade. Although, I heard recently from a police officer that the traffickers are now moving to other locations where they are harder to track.
I will pass on the web-site for Fight4Freedom to our Committee.
Thanks for sharing.