It’s so easy when tensions get high to let negative energy build and build. The little nuances of a seemingly hostile glance or over exaggerated sigh can speak the words we are afraid to say, the confrontation we don’t want to have; that passive-aggressive interplay which ultimately can destroy a friendship. I find myself in the position of hating, rather than loving, which is what Christ commands and therefore I should be practicing.
I felt rather convicted after talking to a friend today, who is nothing but compassionate and life-giving, and felt as though my words were harsh and life-sucking. I realized it was because of the hatred I was letting build up in me and had nowhere else to diffuse. Hate is a powerful thing, a thing we never want in our lives. It only kills and destroys. And yet here I am, letting the subtle and sneaky vines of hate creep into my heart. It is only as I listen for God’s voice that I can see it’s gnarled fingers clawing at my being. And I refuse to let it take hold.
There will always be difficult people in your life; people that you don’t see eye to eye with. People that make you want to scream and cry and yell and punch things. There will always be these people. And it is easy to hate them, it really is. It’s the easy thing. The hard thing is recognizing them as fellow, struggling human beings. People who need love and hope and a friend to come alongside them, as Jesus did. There is already so much hate in the world that adding yours is going to make no difference- but practicing love, well that will make all the difference. Difficult people don’t expect to be loved. They don’t expect to be treated kindly when they treat others unkindly. They don’t expect anyone to care about them. So love them, treat them kindly, care about them. See what happens. And don’t expect to be loved in return. Give it freely and unconditionally. It will change them, from the inside out. That is what Jesus’ love did for us. I know its hard, sometimes even impossible. Sometimes I would rather throw something. But you want to know a secret? Love heals.
Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. ~1 Corinthians 13:4-7
rhythms of grace 