Beautiful Word Devotional #197

Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.

Ephesians 4:2

When we encounter a frustrating person, our first response is typically irritation or anger. We want to criticize and point out flaws. Or we want to establish that we are right so someone else can be the bad guy and we’ll feel better about ourselves. When interactions with people get stressful, we find it hard to be patient.

And our fallback is pride, arrogance, and impatience. But Paul reminded us that, as believers, we must operate differently. We must live out kingdom values. To be specific, Paul encouraged us to be completely humble and gentle. Not partially, but completely. And not by gritting our teeth because we’re supposed to be kind, but to be wholeheartedly extending Christlike kindness. We are to have a servant’s heart of love like our Savior has.

Think about a frustrating person in your life. Maybe someone who knows exactly how to annoy you. Ask the Holy Spirit to work in your heart so you can be humble, gentle, and patient, extending genuine Christlike love.

Lord, I need you to help me love this difficult person. Please help me, amen.