Galatians 6:1-10
Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.
—Ephesians 4:2 (NIV)
Every time I saw that little red car speed into the parking lot of the coffee shop where I worked, I groaned inwardly. The driver was a regular customer who was always surly, rude, and impatient toward us workers but sweet as sugar to other customers. Because she was a friend of the owner, we were expected to give her special treatment. I found myself judging her harshly as she claimed to be a Christian yet treated people so poorly. After praying about the bitterness I was allowing to build in my heart toward her, I was able to see her in a more compassionate light and began noticing her good qualities.
Paul reminds us in Galatians that a haughty spirit should be corrected with gentleness and forbearance, not by matching it with a bad attitude. Even though dealing with difficult people can be draining, scripture encourages us not to become weary in doing good. We aren’t responsible for others’ actions, but we are responsible for loving them like Jesus.
The church is a community where we learn to live like Jesus and attract others to him with loving words and actions. Such work isn’t always easy, but we can help shape each other more into the image of Jesus by extending his goodness and grace.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, help us admit our faults and extend grace toward those whom we find difficult to love. Amen.
Thought for the day: Grace is the best response to conflict.
Megan L. Anderson (Indiana, USA)
