Loving the Truth - Loving Those Who Are Difficult

This is the second part of a lesson series that can help us learn God's way of facing life's challenges with love. You can read the first part here

This time we will discuss how to deal with people with whom we have an unhealthy (difficult) relationship. Loving someone with whom we have an unhealthy relationship is not easy. Differences of opinion and conflict often make our relationships unhealthy. Unresolved problems can also cause our relationships with people to grow distant. Often we do not want to face this situation and allow those broken relationships to remain without growth.

What does the Bible say about this?

The first step is to pray

Jesus taught His disciples to love their enemies and pray for those who persecute them (Matthew 5:43-48) That is what made them (Jesus' disciples) different from the world. Then Jesus challenged them by saying that they must be perfect just as the Father in heaven is perfect, which means trying to do EVERYTHING that He does. Jesus wanted them to know that loving people with whom they had unhealthy relationships was part of their life as disciples of Jesus.

Today, what sets us apart as disciples of Jesus is when we dare to love people who do not respond to our love. Let us pray for those with whom we have unhealthy relationships, and not forget to ask God for strength to face and love them.

Do Our Part

We are often disturbed when we are treated badly by others, especially by people with whom we have an unhealthy relationship. Starting from our thoughts, this affects the peace of our lives. We often allow people to ruin the peace of our lives. When this happens, what did Paul write in Roma 12:17-21?

First, overcome evil with good. Do not let small things cause us to be overcome by evil. Even if we are treated unjustly, keep doing good. If we do good when facing evil, God sees us as the victors. This is what sets us apart as disciples of Jesus. repay evil with good.

Second, remember that vengeance is God's part. We often demand revenge in the old covenant way of an eye for an eye. Jesus' teaching is that if the right cheek is struck, offer the left cheek also. God will see every good thing we do toward those who persecute us. God will surely repay them according to what they have done. Do our duty as disciples, and God will do His duty as the just God.

Third, do not let the peace of our lives be lost. God wants us to have true peace and not let the peace of our lives be taken away because of other people's actions. This is what made the first-century disciples bold in facing persecution and still have joy in the Lord. Remember that the source of our peace and joy is God. So, when we face difficult relationship problems, we can learn God's way of loving according to the Word so that we do not lose our peace and joy in the Lord. Martin Luther King said, "He (Jesus) knew that the old eye for eye philosophy would leave everyone blind. He did not seek to overcome evil with evil. Jesus overcome evil with good. Although crucified by hate, he responded with aggressive love."

He (Jesus) knew that the old teaching of an eye for an eye would leave everyone blind. He did not try to overcome evil with evil. Jesus overcame evil with good. Though crucified because of hatred, He responded with aggressive love. A fighter for the human rights of Black people who had to face injustice and persecution understood that Jesus' teaching in facing evil can only be carried out with goodness. Because Jesus understands better than anyone how hard it is to face the most difficult people in life with extraordinary love.

Jesus loved by sacrificing His life for sinners like us. He showed that He obeyed His Father in heaven. Today, if we are dealing with people who are difficult for us to love, then we simply need to obey and follow the way God gives through the Word. Pray for them and keep loving them, no matter how badly they treat us. This is true love.