having some problems

janda said:

I have an issue with loving those that have hurt me or are really annoying. Actually, I think I have a problem loving in general. Loving my fellow man/woman/child etc.

Any help?

Please don't pontificate or put me down. That just shows lack of love on your part.

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If I asked you to pray to Jesus that He gives you the ability to see others just like He sees them, would that be pontificating ?

We do have the mind of Christ, 1 Cor 2:16 says so.

Hi Janda:

I think we all have the same problem to some extent. I'm having some issues myself.
Been really upset with some neighbors but as I was driving to work the other day I saw a sign on a church that said the heaviest load we have to carry is a grudge - the really hit me between the eyes, that was exactly what I was doing - I've made an effort to break the ice, it is a little strange, but feel better about things.

True love for our fellowman is unconditional - the way Jesus loves us - but I don't really think any of us have achieved that pure love yet - but it will always be a work in progress.

When we look at things and see how our attitudes are, we have to realize that holding grudges really only hurt ourselves. I am realizing that, but still having problems getting over some things.

All we can do is work on it from day to day. It is not easy, but realize that no matter what we do, God's Love is still pure and we can always strive for that goal. I'm a long way from there, but reaching for it.

janda you bring up a great point how people just tell people "thou shalt love others" like its a command. The only way you can start to truly love people is learn more about just how much Jesus loves you. Faith works by love is in the context of knowing how much Jesus loves you. Feed on messages of grace. Once you start knowing just how much you are loved you will effortlessly love others.

For you to depend on your own strength in order to love people... will fail. You are only using your human will power to love people and lets face it human will power is not Jesus.

Listen to messages about grace. Here is a great site with broadcast of Joseph Prince #142 - Put The "Amazing" Back Into Grace (Part1) on Vimeo
His book destined to reign and unmerited favor are great resources.

I don't think godly love is based on emotion. That's the point I get from the parable of the Good Samaritan. Jews and Samaritans did not typically have warm fuzzy feelings for each other. But in the parable when one saw the plight of the other then compassion filled his heart and he acted upon it.

Trying to find the emotional compassion for everybody is pointless. If I find the ability in my heart to forgive my neighbor of an offense, based mostly upon the fact that she's a hot young woman I feel an attraction to, could anybody mistake that for godliness?? lol Our emotions are just that, emotions. God expects us to treat our neighbors with love, whether they trigger negative feelings within us or positive ones.

A happy go lucky person who naturally feels love for everybody is going to find it really difficult to separate their own emotions from godly love. Someone who feels the opposite and naturally hates pretty much everybody on the planet, is really going to notice when they find the ability to show compassion. Most of us fall in the spectrum somewhere in between.

I try to love all, but I do not like them all.
That might not make sense , hard to explain.

janda said:

I have an issue with loving those that have hurt me or are really annoying.

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I'm in that club too. I think I want to love those who have hurt me, but the people that I find really annoying, oh man, I can't even say I'm trying.

janda said:

I have an issue with loving those that have hurt me or are really annoying. Actually, I think I have a problem loving in general. Loving my fellow man/woman/child etc.

Any help?

Please don't pontificate or put me down. That just shows lack of love on your part.

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Hey, love is a small word - but it can be a *big* challenge sometimes. One practical tip I can give, that helps me a lot is this. You know when someone does something that really upsets you? It's really hard to immediately love that person. I find that it is easier to quietly step away from the situation and do something really nice for someone else. That is easier, and the joy and gratitude of the other person is a real consolation to you. Try it - you'll see that it can really brigthen up your day. It also really irritates the enemy to know that he was part of something that blessed someone.