Our pastor said something today that stuck with me...he said that when someone isn't on our hearts, they're probably on our nerves. He meant that if we aren't focused on loving people through God's eyes, we'll get in a rut of being annoyed by them.
Have you ever people-watched in public? We went to the zoo this weekend and I found myself asking my husband if he thought the animals watched us just as much as we watch them... People do some of the strangest things. And sometimes, we even act like animals! It's easy to let people get on our nerves because they're human and so are we. There isn't one of us who is perfect, no matter how much our mothers told us we were when we were kiddos.
Try picking a person who really gets under your skin. Think of that person right now. Those are "sandpaper people". They "rub you the wrong way", big time. Our pastor also likes to say that if you find yourself constantly having imaginary conversations with that person; telling them off and saying everything you've ever wanted to say without remorse, that's your sandpaper person. So now that you've got that person in your head, try praying for them. It doesn't mean having to LIKE them...pray that God would watch them and that they would make good decisions. Pray that God would love them through you and give you a sense of peace around this person. And, finally pray that God would speak to their heart. You might be completely amazed at what God can do when you ask.
Have a great week!
"Since God chose you to be the holy people whom he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience." Colossians 3:12
No comments:
Post a Comment