Clear.
Simple.
Not easy.
Love is a choice
A choice with emotions attached to it. At times, the emotions are positive. But not always.
It’s easy to love someone who loves me back.
But what about someone who has wronged me? Or mistreats a person I love? Or acts like they despise me because of who I voted for?
Or the tyrant who invades a free country to steal its wealth and force its citizens into captivity?
What about the criminal who rapes and murders? Or scams people out of their life savings? Or perpetrates any number of other offenses?
Yes, I know the Bible says to hate evil.
The Bible also says to pray for our enemies. And that God doesn’t wish for any man to “perish” (die without choosing Him as Lord and Savior…die and be separated from Him for eternity).
And as the verse above states simply and clearly: Love as God loves.
The kind of love that sacrificed everything so I could find my way to the Source of All Love. The kind that gives the same opportunity to everyone.
That Source is the only reason I have the capacity to love — even when the person loves me in return.
God, the Source of All Love, is Who gives me the ability to consciously choose love.
My sacrifice is to squelch my opinions and ego. To turn over what I think should happen to “those horrible people”, and pray for them.
And it is a sacrifice. It’s hard to make the decision, and then actually pray for someone I don’t like.
I try to do that as much as I can. Not for them.
But because I want to show God I love Him.
And want to reflect gentleness and kindness and compassion.
So that maybe — hopefully — others see a glimmer of the Source of All Love.
And seek that Source until they find their way to Him, too.
What helps you love difficult or unlovable people?
Love Is A Choice – What helps you love difficult or unlovable people? Share on XJoni Vance is an award-winning author of fiction, essay, and poetry. She loves mystery, history, and how God reveals Himself every day.
May God reveal the mystery of His love in your life story.
I echo Tim. I can’t do it without the Holy Spirit and somedays, even with the Holy Spirit, I feel like I can’t make it through another day if I have to deal with certain people. But I do make it through each day.
And like Tim, I know the Holy Spirit has to help other people love me, also:)
Thank you for sharing. I’m so grateful to God for His help, and that He helps others love me. 🙂
Can’t do it on my own. We have to rely on the Holy Spirit to give us what we need to show godly love for others, especially difficult people. I pray those around me learn from the Holy Spirit because at times, I may be the difficult one. 🙂
Thanks. And I appreciate the reminder that I may be the one other people have to “decide to love”. 😉