I really try hard to understand the motivations of others. I especially try to understand when they are unkind to me. I wonder if they had a difficult childhood. I wonder if they are sick. I wonder if they are depressed. I try to imagine why they behave the way they do. Are they angry because they are lonely? Do I remind them of someone that hurt them? What do I represent in their minds that angers them? Perhaps they are having trouble in their marriage or with a child or relative? What happened to certain individuals to produce such coldness? Was it something I did or said? I confess, I can easily make it about me. Am I the only one who does this?
Some people don't let things bother them. They walk around wearing steel coats or something and nothing, it seems, absolutely nothing seems penetrate their hearts. Sometimes I beg God to be like that. "A little less tender please God? Make my heart hard steel please." And God speaks to my heart and says, "No. This is who I have made you to be."
Some people don't let things bother them. They walk around wearing steel coats or something and nothing, it seems, absolutely nothing seems penetrate their hearts. Sometimes I beg God to be like that. "A little less tender please God? Make my heart hard steel please." And God speaks to my heart and says, "No. This is who I have made you to be."
I have become more guarded over the years, having had my nose slapped a few good times like a disobedient puppy. However, down deep the assaults haven't destroyed the tenderness. I might try really hard to act like things don't hurt, but they do. There is so much I don't understand about human behavior. I don't know that I ever will. I think that is OK and probably very correct that I don't.
Understanding the negative behavior of others would give me the illusion that I have the ability to change it. It might motivate me to act or behave in a certain way to produce a given result. It then becomes about me again. I think it is only supposed to be about Him.
How do I handle this Lord? What do you want me to do? How do I respond to another person's unkindness? His answer for me resides in His Word. It is in an understanding, not so much of the person or of myself, but of the spiritual realm and my responsibility in the battles that take place there.
Matthew 5
44But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;
Ephesians 6
10In conclusion, be strong in the Lord [be empowered through your union with Him]; draw your strength from Him [that strength which His boundless might provides].
Ephesians 6
12For we are not wrestling with flesh and blood [contending only with physical opponents], but against the despotisms, against the powers, against [the master spirits who are] the world rulers of this present darkness, against the spirit forces of wickedness in the heavenly (supernatural) sphere.
So if I am obedient to the Word of God it goes like this:
1.) Love them, bless them, do good to them and pray for them that use me and persecute me.
Understanding the negative behavior of others would give me the illusion that I have the ability to change it. It might motivate me to act or behave in a certain way to produce a given result. It then becomes about me again. I think it is only supposed to be about Him.
How do I handle this Lord? What do you want me to do? How do I respond to another person's unkindness? His answer for me resides in His Word. It is in an understanding, not so much of the person or of myself, but of the spiritual realm and my responsibility in the battles that take place there.
Matthew 5
44But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;
Ephesians 6
10In conclusion, be strong in the Lord [be empowered through your union with Him]; draw your strength from Him [that strength which His boundless might provides].
Ephesians 6
12For we are not wrestling with flesh and blood [contending only with physical opponents], but against the despotisms, against the powers, against [the master spirits who are] the world rulers of this present darkness, against the spirit forces of wickedness in the heavenly (supernatural) sphere.
So if I am obedient to the Word of God it goes like this:
1.) Love them, bless them, do good to them and pray for them that use me and persecute me.
2.) Stand in His power, not mine. It isn't about me. It is about Him.
3.) Understand that this encounter is meant to bring defeat in the heavenly realms and that my response, or lack there of is crucial to the battle. My beef is not with the person, but with the evil and wickedness that rules in this present darkness.
God loves all of us. He wants us to love others, even when they don't seem very lovable. When He was up on the cross, dying and bleeding, He didn't give His life just for the "nice" people that never rock the boat. He looked down at the very people crucifying him and asked His Father in heaven to forgive them and understand that they did not know what they were doing. He died for the cranky, mean, judgemental, hateful, unkind, rude, insensitive etc., etc. In other words, sinners...... all of us.
Precious Lord, help me to love. Help me God not to make others actions about me or about them. Help me God to continually understand that it is all about You and to love others as You do, being no respecter of persons and desiring that all should come to know You as Lord and Savior. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
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