March 9: Love Difficult People

Affirmation: I look in the mirror and I love who I see & so does God.

For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only son that whoever believes in Him shall not die, but will have eternal life.John 3:16
If this affirmation is hard for you then start by liking who you see. Jot a list of things you like about yourself and keep it growing day by day and week by week.
Happy Birthday, to our son Michael! This is one of my favorite days!

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Wholehearted Guidepost from Brené Brown 

Cultivate Resilience and Gratitude and Joy.

I have combined these two guideposts because they support each other. Your resilience grows when you are grateful and joyful despite the circumstances.

~~~~~Ponder, Personalize and Practice:  Make this your prayer this morning and look for God’s guidance as you go through the day in the form of truth, hope, great love and mercy.

“Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long. Remember, Lord, your great mercy and love, for they are from of old.“ ‭‭Psalms‬ ‭25‬:‭5‬-‭6

~~~~~

Reading for Today

Walk in Grace. Live in Love. by Bob Goff

March 9

LOVE DIFFICULT PEOPLE 
Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.  COLOSSIANS 4:6 

Because I fly on planes so much, getting through security, boarding, buckling, and getting to where I'm going feels as normal as a morning routine getting ready for work. That's why I get a little rattled when the plane comes to a slow stop and the pilot's voice comes through the speakers: ''Ladies and gentleman, all the gates are in use. Please remain seated and we'll update you when we have more information." It's like getting to your car to drive to work and seeing the flat tire. Life has messed with your routine, and you're instantly annoyed and deflated. 

I think about those runway stops when I come across difficult people. They usually don't want to be a pain, and, like you and me, they want to be better. But they're stuck on the tarmac for a minute. 
Each of us knows how complicated life can be. We know how quickly pressure builds with all the responsibilities that weigh us down. We're well aware of the unique ways those anxieties surface in our lives, especially when they seem to manage us more than we manage them. And we want people to show us grace. We want the benefit of the doubt. 

Love difficult people. Give them the grace you want people to offer you when you stall on the tarmac. Give them your pretzels or cookies and remind yourself they've got a little farther to go, just like you. 

What makes it difficult for you to love difficult people?