None have ever said following Christ is easy.
It starts with of self-denial, sacrifice.
It all begins with 1 John 3:11 – love one another.
Love the people God has put around you.
Hold them dear, even when they push you away.
Be devoted to their welfare, even if they seem indifferent to yours.
Hope and pray for their healing, just as you do for your own.
Once begun is half done so start with small things.
Start by forgiving your spouse, parents, or children for something they have said or done.
Everyday life offers us many opportunities to love one another in the small ways, “in deed and truth,” as John wrote (1 John 3:18).
To love means to not resent.
To love means not to crave anger or revenge but to serve.
That kind of love requires the death of something inside ourselves:
The death of desire for something in return.
The feeling of resentment, the desire for payback, the desire to hold on to anger, must be killed.
Feelings can be stubborn, but God will help you.
He will give you everything you need to love your family as he has loved you.
When anger or bitterness rises up within you, stop and do your best to halt those thoughts.
Ask Jesus for the grace to think thoughts of love for that person, and then take one small step to treat them with kindness.
Over time, you will discover that you actually are becoming more loving.
You may find yourself hoping for “good” and even praying for those thoughtless others, rude drivers, and ungodly “others” whom you find insufferable.
It doesn’t happen all at once, but it does happen.
Gradually.
Unnoticed.
Deep in your heart.
Resolve today to give no place to negativity, and God’s grace will abound.
“Holy Spirit, give me the gift of fortitude today so that I can fight the good fight of faith. Give me grace to love other people as Jesus loved me.”
Psalm 100:1-5
John 1:43-51