Love When It's Difficult

“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor (fellow man) and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love [that is, unselfishly seek the best or higher good for] your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, Matthew 5:43&44

This week this was one of the daily scriptures that popped up on my phone. Of course, it has the theme of love because it’s February. But I’ll be honest with you. I needed the reminder. Most of the time it’s easy to love the people you know. It can be easy to love your family, spouse, and your children. I have been struggling with loving those people that aren’t my favorite. In fact it’s VERY difficult to love those people that just really get under my skin. It’s hard to love that stranger that doesn’t have the right attitude. It’s a strain to love that family member or that friend that just can’t help but hurt your feelings.

But in the scripture Jesus is commanding us to love one another even our enemies! He tells us that the world will tell you again and again to do the opposite. Jesus wants us to love like he does. He loves unconditionally. He endured so much and still chose to love us. He still prayed on our behalf to the Father when we turned our backs on Him. He has commanded us to do the same. I’ve been finding recently that it’s really hard to not love the people you pray for. So lift up those people that you don’t get along with. Lift up those rough around the edges people that bother you. EVERYONE has been hard to love at least once. Thank goodness Jesus still loves me even with my flaws. The least I can do is extend the love of Jesus to others. This week as the excitement of Valentine’s Day dies down remember to love when it’s easy and when it’s hard even way past the holiday.