Every single day, we walk alongside people we may find difficult. We interact with individuals we don’t always agree with. How we handle those encounters says more about who we are than it does about them. I know that at times, people can wrong us and make our lives incredibly hard, but the key takeaway is how we react and how we choose to view these “difficult people.”
Ephesians 4:32 reminds us to "be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you." Think about that for a moment—being kind to someone in the same way God has been kind to you. Consider forgiving someone just as Christ has forgiven you. It’s not easy, but the best things in life rarely are. And yet, they are essential. We need to be a people marked by kindness and forgiveness.
Imagine if we all walked in kindness and forgiveness toward one another the way Christ does. Think about the impact it could have on the world. Instead of seeking ways to outdo someone or get back at them, what if we went out of our way to be kind, putting others before ourselves? This is the heart of Gospel-centered living. This is what Jesus meant when He said, "Everyone will know that you are my disciples if you love one another." This is what our world needs.
Now, I understand that talking about this is the easy part—the hard part is putting it into practice. So tomorrow, when that difficult person shows up in your life, take a moment to pause, breathe, and pray before responding. Say this: "Jesus loved me when I was difficult. Lord, help me to do the same in this moment today." You never know—this simple prayer might just change the entire atmosphere.
I hope this message brings you some peace and encouragement this evening.
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