Ever since becoming a follower of Christ nearly seven years ago, I've often prayed that God would soften my heart and help me truly love people like he does. After a recent convicting sermon series called "People Matter", this difficult personal struggle has been laid upon my hardened heart again.
So I keep my reminder up on my desk at work and frequently ask the Lord to help me see others as He has so beautifully created them.
Sounds wonderful, huh? Of course it does...until it comes time to actually apply this concept of people mattering into my daily life. It seems that over the past several weeks, everywhere I turn (not just at work...if only that were the case!), people are exceptionally irritating. It's as if everyone knows I'm working really hard on this, and they are purposely trying to derail my efforts.
I find my head turning back and forth between the "People Matter"sign and this quote pinned up in my office:
I can play the blame game all I want, but I know, as difficult as it is to admit, that this is my issue, not everyone else's problem. But yet I keep wondering how to love others like Jesus wants me to even when they continue to be stupid and make poor choices. How can I continue to kindly respond and extend patience, love, and forgiveness? Simply put, I can't do this on my own. I've tried many times. I've failed many times.
To be completely honest, people have been exhausting to me lately, but "people matter" so I'm going to keep on keeping on. I'm afraid this is going to be a life-long process for me, chipping away at it one teeny tiny bit at a time. Thankfully, I don't have to do this alone.
3 comments:
It's not just you... so don't feel alone. I struggle in this way too and I sort of get jealous of people who make it look so easy. I get especially irritated with others when I am struggling with something else. It's like one struggle is not enough sometimes!
And I thought our Pastor had only been preaching to me...
Our "people matter" people are including our entire family. This will be an interesting summer, for sure.
: ) And, people do matter even when there is stupidity involved. That is my reminder to write my letter about the dr. visit...
I think every person struggles with this concept! It's difficult for most to just admit it, so pat yourself on the back. He'll guide you :)
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