You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you. Matthew 5:43-44, NIV

 I can’t say that I have any enemies. But I’m sure some people don’t particularly like me. And if I’m being honest, there are also people I find difficult to like.

Chances are, you can think of someone like that, too.

So how does God want us to treat the difficult people in our lives, even those who have hurt us, opposed us, or simply rub us the wrong way?

God’s Word gives us a practical place to start:

Love them. Every person is created in the image of God and deeply loved by Him. Loving someone doesn’t mean we have to approve of everything they do or ignore unhealthy behavior. It means we choose to treat them with dignity, kindness, and grace because they bear God’s image.

Pray for them. Jesus gave us the challenging command to “love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you” (Matthew 5:44). Prayer changes our perspective. As we bring difficult relationships before God, He can soften our hearts, give us wisdom, and help us respond in ways that honor Him.

Look for ways to help them. Sometimes love is more than an attitude or a feeling. It becomes visible through our actions. When we have an opportunity to meet a genuine need, offer encouragement or extend kindness, we can choose to do so even when our feelings don’t naturally lead us in that direction.

None of this is easy. And we may not see an immediate change in the other person or in the relationship. But our responsibility is not to change someone’s heart. Our responsibility is to be faithful to God in the way we love others.

Perhaps the difficult person in your life will one day become a friend. Perhaps the relationship will remain challenging. Either way, we can choose to respond with the love, grace, and wisdom God has shown us.

After all, we were once difficult people, too. And God loved us anyway.

Father, You loved me, and Jesus died for me even when I was Your enemy. You are love, and You give abundant grace to me every minute of the day. Help me imitate You and show love and grace to those I find hard to like. Fill me with love for them. In Jesus’ precious name, I pray, Amen.

 Copyright Linda Livingston.

Linda is a Christian Educators member and teaches talented and gifted elementary students in Iowa.