This radical love is not simply about tolerating others. It is a call to see people through the lens of God’s heart. Jesus tells us not only to love our enemies but also to pray for them: not prayers for distance, but prayers for their good. That may feel impossible at first, but prayer changes both our perspective and our posture. It softens our hearts and opens us to God’s transforming work in us and through us.
WHY LOVE OUR ENEMIES?
There are two powerful reasons Jesus gives us for this call:
1. God loved us first.
Before we ever turned toward Him, God showed us grace. He gave us life, breath, and the ultimate gift—His Son—when we were far from Him. To love those who oppose us is to reflect the same grace we’ve already received.
2. Love disarms evil.
Loving our enemies is not weakness; it is strength. It is an act so countercultural that it reveals God’s presence in us. Kindness to those who mistreat us breaks cycles of bitterness and allows God’s love to reach places it otherwise could not. As Scripture reminds us, good has the power to overcome evil.
THE CHALLENGE OF LOVE
Loving difficult people doesn’t mean pretending that pain doesn’t exist or ignoring unhealthy behavior. It doesn’t mean allowing abuse or dismissing the need for healthy boundaries. What it does mean is that we refuse to let hatred, bitterness, or revenge dictate our response.
Love may look like forgiveness, even if reconciliation isn’t possible. It may look like praying for someone’s healing while choosing not to engage in toxic patterns. It may look like small, unexpected acts of kindness that leave the door open for God’s light to break through.
PUTTING IT INTO PRACTICE
Think of one or two tangible ways you can show kindness toward them. A kind word, a small act of generosity, or even choosing not to respond with anger can speak volumes. These small steps create opportunities for God’s love to flow through you.
AN INVITATION TO RADICAL LOVE
The truth is, loving difficult people is not something we can do in our own strength. It requires God’s love working in us and through us. But when we embrace this calling, we step into a way of living that transforms not just others—but ourselves.
Every act of love, no matter how small, echoes God’s heart into a world that desperately needs it. So today, dare to love those who are hardest to love. Pray for them. Bless them. And in doing so, reflect the radical, transforming love of Jesus.
Amen.
HERE ARE SIX KEY TAKEAWAY POINTS FROM THE BLOG ON LOVING DIFFICULT PEOPLE:
Loving those who are kind is easy, but Jesus calls us to also love those who oppose or hurt us.
Praying for difficult people softens our hearts and opens the door for God’s transforming work.
We love our enemies because God loved us first, even when we were far from Him.
Love disarms evil—responding with kindness breaks cycles of hatred and reveals God’s presence.
Loving difficult people doesn’t ignore pain or remove boundaries; it chooses grace over revenge.
Small acts of kindness toward difficult people create space for God’s light to shine through us.
