Love and Difficulty
I’m awake at 12:57 a.m. thinking about a few people, and the result is eyebrows furrowed and gut in knots a bit.
Relationships will do that to you.
Sometimes the anxiety of caring about people is like wet socks on a cold day, and you wish you could simply yank them off and find relief.
But here’s what I told my husband on the couch last night…
I would rather be miserable, anxious, or frustrated in relationship than to live a life of isolation without it.
Jesus says, “Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold.” (Matthew 24:12 NIV)
Cold is the easiest course of action.
I want to stay warm towards the people in my life, and that means apologizing for my mistakes often, pushing in with love, always trying to understand the other person’s perspective, and praying even when relationships get messy.
The warm heart is willing to lay awake at night with the burden of caring.
The warm heart stays open to injury.
The warm heart will love again tomorrow. And the next day. And the next.
The warm heart will not let go of hope.
I know, for sure, that the people in your life are difficult to love, but will you ask God to keep your heart warm towards them?
P.S. Here’s one of my favorite songs. Yes, I know it’s old.
Petra! Please keep the favorite songs coming!!!! I know every word of this song from high school. Christian music from the 80’s. PLEASE consider adding this to your daily list of things to do!!! By the by, my mother’s IT guy at work gets donuts every time she needs him, thanks to you.
Oh, you should have seen my husband roll his eyes at the Petra song. I said, “It’s my blog! I can go old school if I want to.” And you made me smile big at the thought of your mom giving the IT guy donuts. Tell her that makes me happy!