Lord Help Me Love Others

Scripture: 1 John 4: [20] If anyone says, “I love God,” yet hates his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen.

Observation: I realize I have a difficult time loving others. My first thoughts normally are negative and during the course of a day I’m thinking hateful thoughts of some people I know. A day doesn’t seem to pass when I think how much I dislike someone, but that shouldn’t matter God commands me to love everyone. God loves me and I have done some terrible things to his children over the years, yet it doesn’t seem to affect the way he cares and loves me. Wouldn’t it be something to be able to love others the way God loves us.

Application: As soon as I think negative about someone I need to think of how God loves me. God doesn’t ask me to just tolerate others, but to love them to put their needs above my own and there is no limitation to whom. If I stop focusing on myself and focus on God and all He has done for me and to see others as God’s children I could love them. The reason I don’t is because I’m comparing them to me or how they affect me and that should have nothing to do with it, I’m called by my Father to love and with His help I can do it.

Prayer: My Lord I know you love me, yet I have no idea why. I know you are love and you call me to this same purpose, but I need your help. I’m a sinner and so many times I let the enemy in. I need your protection and guidance to make it through this life in a way that will please you. Fill my heart and mind with love for others and that the love will come from you.