Today’s Devotional – How to Love Difficult People

Drawn from my archives

Straight out of high school, my first job was in retail. I was a pretty good cashier back in the day. I remembered all of my codes, made a point to smile often, and handled the cash fairly well. Customers, on the other hand, weren’t always so easy to handle.

We had a good share of nice people, but there was always that one who made the day long. One woman sat on the floor with her arms crossed in defiance because a price check was taking too long. And of course, there were those who hurled insults knowing that all I could do was smile and nod.

If there’s anything I learned from those days, it’s that difficult people are a part of everyday life. Just when you finish with one, there’s another not too far behind. Whether it’s a customer, a co-worker, a neighbor, or your boss you’re bound to meet difficult people.

In their defence, I should add that everyone has a bad day. Even nice people might say and do the wrong thing when they’re stressed. I get that. In fact, this post is not so much about them, as it is about me. I can’t control the way people act, but I do have the ability to choose the way that I act in response.

Luke 6:32-33, is more than a statement. It’s a challenge to all who say they love God. We love when it’s easy, but can we love when it’s hard?

For if ye love them which love you, what thank have ye? For sinners also love those that love them. And if ye do good to them which do good to you, what thank have ye? For sinners also do even the same. (Luke 6:32-33, KJV)

King Saul was relentless when it came to his pursuit of David. With 3,000 young men by his side, he set out on a journey to find him and to kill him. And yet, when David had a clear opportunity to take Saul’s life, he honored his king saying, “The Lord forbid that I should do this thing unto my master, the Lord’s anointed, to stretch forth mine hand against him, seeing he is the anointed of the Lord.” (1 Samuel 24:6, KJV)

It should go without saying that no one is truly unlovable. They may be incredibly difficult at times, but always in need of some love, and David shows us how to do that, God’s way.

Remember, we don’t love because it’s easy or because others are deserving, we love because God loved us while we were yet sinners and still loves us now. We forgive much because we’re forgiven so much. And finally, we’re patient with others, because the Lord is patient with us.

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Tilling the Soil

Read 1 Samuel 24 where we see David’s response to Saul’s hatred.

Planting Hope

For if ye love them which love you, what thank have ye? For sinners also love those that love them. And if ye do good to them which do good to you, what thank have ye? For sinners also do even the same. (Luke 6:32-33, KJV)

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