Have you ever planned or done something kind for someone and it’s like they fought you on every hand or assumed you didn’t care? It’s easy to argue and fight back to stand your ground, yelling, I do care for you! I did prepare something for you! Later, we find ourselves wondering why we reacted the way we did or could there have been a deeper issue.
Oftentimes there is. Sometimes, people we care genuinely for and love dearly are not always capable of receiving that love. They don’t know how. They do not have the capacity to receive love at that level YET. I’ve been there where people wanted to help me, but I would remember saying, “oh no, it’s okay, I got it” knowing very well that I needed the help. I know in my case it was because I was afraid they would let me down or forget, or decide later that they didn’t want to do it. So I would just decline their help. I later realized that if your hand is always closed how then can you receive, how can you receive the more that God has for you.
We have to be discerning and open to receive from God because we may not always know how the blessing will come, that is why it is also important to be hopeful, to always express the love of Christ.
I’m reminded of the verse in 1 Peter 3:15, “But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear. Having a good conscience; that whereas they speak evil of you as of evildoers they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ. For it is better if the will of God be so that ye suffer for well doing than for evil doing.”
Many people you may encounter may have given up on people, may think that there is no one who really cares about them until they encounter Christ in you. The love of Christ that fills us up, that we overflow and can reach many many souls through His love.
There is so much going on these days, but it is important to always be grateful, reflecting on what you have and the blessing of God upon your life. Remembering that we are gifts sent out unto this world and every person that we encounter we have the opportunity to uplift, encourage and edify by the grace of God, that He gets the glory.
Even when it comes to people who automatically assume you will let them down or they speak and see through the eyes of their trauma. Ask God to have mercy upon them so that they draw closer to Him and their heart begins to soften to receive Him, that they experience the love of God upon their life.
1 John 4:18, “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.”
Only God can change people, only He can turn their hearts. He knows the secrets of their hearts and the internal things that they deal with on a daily basis. Pray for them, intercede for them and ask God for wisdom concerning them that if you show up in their lives there is a difference, there is light in their darkness, that they begin to see through a different perspective.
I know there have been times where I was so upset with someone and really didn’t understand the way they navigated things, but I begin to pray and was led to bless them with something that maybe they’ve wanted or needed and there was such a release because oftentimes when we are upset we find it hard to give to that person or situation. That is why it is important to be diligent in prayer and allow the Holy Spirit to lead you and guide you on the path of insight and discretion.
What are ways that you deal with individuals in your life that may be a little difficult to love? Write it out and see what comes up for you. Be Blessed!