Loving difficult people
“For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same?” (Matt. 5.46 ESV)
The world is full of difficult people
Difficult people are sometimes family members you can’t avoid at family gatherings. Or perhaps you have to work with someone who is rude and self-centered. Or maybe it’s an unruly and loud next-door neighbor who is a constant annoyance. Or someone rudely pushes their way in front of you at a checkout line. Or you are cut off in traffic and the offender blames you and exhibits road rage. The truth is, as long as you live in this world, you cannot avoid troubles all the time. Jesus said that you will have trouble in this world (John 16:33).
A different way to look at it
A godly old saint in the church we attend had an amazing take on difficult people. She said that God allows them in our lives to give us opportunities to practice the characteristics of His kind of love. It is an opportunity to grow the way God wants us to. And, love is not just about feelings; it’s about actions—doing the right thing in spite of how you may feel. The following passage tells you what that kind of love looks like.
“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 Cor. 13:4-7 ESV)
Therefore
“But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. To one who strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also, and from one who takes away your cloak do not withhold your tunic either. Give to everyone who begs from you, and from one who takes away your goods do not demand them back. And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them. “If you love those who love you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who do good to you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. And if you lend to those from whom you expect to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to get back the same amount. But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil. Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful.” (Luke 6:24-36 ESV)