I was 22 when I came to know Jesus, and before that I hadn’t really thought about how to love the unlovely or annoying in my life.  I think I would probably just avoid them.  However, as I got to know Jesus, I learned that He was all about love, and He expects His followers to love all people.

John 13:34 NIV  “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.

Luke 6:32 NIV ³² “If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them. ³³ And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners do that.

We may have (or have had) a person in our life that poses a real challenge to love, especially when avoiding them isn’t an option.  Maybe they are a family member or someone at work, but Jesus makes it clear:  He loves all people, and we are to be like Him.

From the journal . . . . May 1993

Lord, help me to love Jonas.  God, I just can’t do it on my own and I know I need to.  I fail without Your divine influence on my heart.  Jesus, please show me how to love him.  Thank You.  As I talk to You, I feel myself softening.  It’s got to be Your Holy Spirit working in me.

And I Believe God Said:

It’s not your job to love him to Me.  But I want you to love him because I died for him.  Your purpose is not so he will love Me.  Your purpose is to love because I have given him to you to love.  I’m here to give you love for him.  Don’t rush, and don’t go in your own strength.  When there is an opportunity to do good – do it!  Don’t instigate, but be alert.  And stop looking for faults.

Lord, Lord.  How can I stop looking for faults?

Praise. 

Psalm 63:4 I will praise you as long as I live,    and in your name I will lift up my hands.

1 Peter 2:9  But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His wonderful light.

Here are a couple of other verses that have helped me to love when I’m not feeling it! Brought to you by God!!

John 8:7  They kept demanding an answer, so He stood up again and said, “All right, but let the one who has never sinned throw the first stone!”

Matt 7:2-3  For you will be treated as you treat others. The standard you use in judging is the standard by which you will be judged. ³ “And why worry about a speck in your friend’s eye when you have a log in your own?

Ouch, but Thank You Lord!