When Relationships Are Hard

Jesus calls us to radical love in Luke 6:32–36. These verses were spoken regarding enemies. But knowing that all of the law is summed up in the commandment to love one another and that love is the greatest commandment, we can safely assume that these verses apply not only to our enemies but also to anyone we need to love. Maybe the coworkers who insist on chatting right outside your office cubicle, the teenager who resents your attempts at guidance, the church member who always has a complaint.

Reflect on times of conflict you’ve had. Could it be you have a skewed view of the person you are struggling with? It can be hard to love someone you view as an enemy or as selfish or as a brat. Your desire and mine should be to love God first and love our neighbors as ourselves. If we can view difficult people as those we are called to love, perhaps it will soften our hearts toward them. This love isn’t always reciprocated and isn’t always easy. It’s tough to love when you don’t receive, and yet we must if we are to truly love at all.

As you reflect on hard relationships you have, what makes them uniquely difficult?

How can the example of Christ, and his words in Luke 6:32-36, serve to specifically encourage you in hard relationships?

What does a life that sacrificially and generously loves others demonstrate to the world about the power of the gospel?