Grin and Bear Them? Loving Difficult People

I posted this on my FB writer & speaker page, as well as my Twitter today:

"Grin & bear it." That's the advice some give about loving the difficult people in our lives. But Biblical love is a fruit of the Spirit, so depending on Him to love through us is the only way that brings peace & life to the full. May the fruit of love be powerfully present in & through us today."

I've often wondered why it can be so difficult to love difficult people at times. While I come to a different conclusion every time I ponder it, today I landed on a Scripture that gave me some insight. It was Daniel 6:27 (NIRV): "He sets people free and saves them. He does miraculous signs and wonders. He does them in the Heavens and on the earth."

In this context, it's about setting Daniel free from the lions. YES, that was a miracle.

But often, if I'm honest, I ignore the truth that God is still setting people free. Especially the difficult people. (understatement). He does miracles! He turned my unbelieving heart around, He set me free from death and its grip, and He saves me each and every day from all kinds of icky stuff, like when I'm that difficult person in someone else's life.

Sometimes I think I struggle to love the thorny people in my life Christ's way because I don't reflect on the fact that He still does miracles. HE alone can transform a person's heart. If He can turn the water to wine, He can turn the whiner into a worshipper. If He can heal the sick, then He most surely can cure the selfish and mean. If He can die on a cross after living a sinless life, then I can die to myself and let Him love blamelessly through me.

By His grace and because of His unfailing love, He sets people free and saves them. He does miraculous signs and wonders. He does them in the Heavens and on the earth. And even in me and through me...and in and through you too.

The question is, will we believe in and depend on Him to be Love through us today?

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