There has been something eating at me for the last few weeks, something that truly is tragic and sad in my opinion. In our life there will be people who bother us, disappoint us, fail often, or even make us jealous of them (anyways you get the point, there will be people that we have strained relationships with). It seems to me that our most common response to these people and our relationships with them is simple; avoid them, discourage them, mock them. Call me crazy, but that method has never truly worked in my favor. In fact I find myself thinking poorly of the people who often do this (and I understand I am guilty of it as well).
I have a friend whose brother has been struggling lately in life, making poor decisions and improper actions. Everyone was hard on him, never truly encouraged him. No once had there been a substantial difference in his behavior from this. His sister treated him with respect, showed him love and affection that he hadn’t received in some time. These actions showed the difference, these behaviors of his changed when he was treated differently. I use this example to try and illustrate that treating someone with love and respect... EVEN if they may not deserve it.... Has stronger affects than the traditional approach (a negative one).
In life we will be in control of so many different aspects of ourselves, we will have the ability to choose who and why we care for people. But in life you will not always have control who will and will not have regular interactions with you. There will be people we do not like around us, and that is a cultural fact. Learn to love them for who they are and how God created them. God allows for us to make choices and adapt. This is greatly because of our relationships with others, we have the ability to get along with and enjoy everyone ever created. IF that is the path you choose. And believe me when I say, that is the path of the successful, the path of the friendly, the path of a person people genuinely want to be around.
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