My job is to love people. It is GOD's job to change them.

Each of us encounter at least one difficult person every day. Lucky if you're spared of dealing with an irritating individual even just once in a week. Some even have to put up being with another person who possess an unpleasant attitude on a daily basis. It's like castigation they have to endure. Many are struggling to get along with spiteful supervisors or co-workers. There are those who have to stomach their own family member for being irrational or for being harsh with words. This is not something new. Truth is, there will even be a time when our own trusted friend will fail or disappoint us. Nobody need to hate us to hurt us. It's just the plain fact that we are all in a way selfish people always trying to grab what we so desire even to the point of stepping on another's toe. Human nature. Survival of the fittest. Competition. We are all going to inevitably hurt each other because we differ in many ways -- attitudes, values, beliefs, aspirations... No wonder the Bible tells us to, "Be tolerant of one another and forgive each other if anyone has a complaint against another. Just as the Lord has forgiven you, you also should forgive." (Colosians 3:13 ISV)

It is NOT easy to be tolerant. We are all creatures of emotions with different levels of threshold. But, if we are to take the Bible seriously, we need to be self-controlled. It might help if we remind ourselves that each one of us, every person you see every day -- and, yes, even that difficult person you have to put up with -- is God's creation... perfectly crafted in HIS own image (read Genesis 1:27). We may strongly think that a person needs to change himself, but it is really not our business to pinpoint anyone's flaws. We already have more than enough imperfections to acknowledge and change. Although, it is good to help someone realize his blemish for his self-improvement, we are in no position to demand and expect them to change. It is not our duty to change others. Our duty is to change ourselves and our attitudes and responses toward situations and people and follow Christ's example (1 Peter 2:21). To change ourselves -- our bad habits, attitudes, behavior -- is not an easy task. If we find it hard to change ourselves, then, we must understand that it is the same with others. God did not create us to be each other's critic. Jesus even gave us the following commandments: "Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. (Luke 6:37)

There is also a need for us to acknowledge that we have certain attitudes that may be annoying to others, as well. So, we need to show kindness and compassion to our fellowmen just as God showers us with kindness, mercy and patience. One day, we will be placed in situations where we are going to fall short of someone's expectations and we want them to forgive us and give us a chance to change. It is but wise to sow kindness and compassion now. Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. (Galatians 6:7) If you sow kindness and mercy, you will reap kindness and mercy. If you do not forgive, you will not be forgiven. If you demand and expect, the same measure will be used against you. Jesus Christ showed an example of kindness. "When people were near Him there was this incredible magnetism because of an absence of unrealistic expectations and subtle demands and manipulative devices. HE did not use pressure tactics. HE simply accepted people as they were." -Charles Swindoll

“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” (John 13:34-35) My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. (John 15:12) Jesus Christ commanded us to LOVE ONE ANOTHER. How do we love others? When Jesus Christ was asked which commandment in the law is the greatest, HE emphasized that the 2nd greatest commandment is "love your neighbor as yourself"(Matthew 22:39). How do we love ourselves? Here's a good example:

When you accidentally cut your finger and it bleeds, you don't tell yourself, "I don't have time to stop the bleeding now. I'll attend to it later." In stead, you are urgent in taking action. You love yourself enough that you don't even have to think twice whether you will get a first-aid kit or you will just rush to do whatever you deem more important than attending to your wound. Your thoughts, words and actions are driven by your self-love. If you are to love your neighbor as yourself, the same urgent kind of love is required. "It's a love that notices the needs of another person and won't rest until it's been met."

How else can we love our neighbor as ourselves? By following the golden rule: "So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets." Yes, the Golden Rule is Biblical! Read Matthew 7:12. If we are to be imitators of Christ, we have to practice sincere love and loving is doing what you would have others do to you. When we failed or hurt someone we love, our automatic response is to be sorry. We want to be forgiven. We want to be heard as we explain ourselves why have we done such a thing. We want them to give us a chance to change. Therefore, it is but wise to do the same. Let's not be judgmental. Let's stop complaining about someone else's flaws and shortcomings. Quit spreading nasty rumors about the person you dislike no matter how terrible his behavior may be. Remind yourself not to put pressure on anyone to change. “Consider how hard it is to change yourself and you'll understand what little chance you have in trying to change others.”

We make excuses for our behavior, but when someone else does the same thing we do, we are often merciless. It's so typical how we look at ourselves through rose-colored glasses, but look at others through a magnifying glass.

Christ's commandment is to "love one another". No buts. HE did not tell us to love our neighbor only when they deserve it. HE did not love us because we deserve love. HE loved us in our worst state. God doesn't love us because we're good, obedient, or whatever. HE just do. No reason required. Therefore, we must love one another. Period. In fact, we're even instructed to LOVE OUR ENEMIES. (Matthew 5:44) So, if you need to deal with who you consider a despicable person, just love the person. Do not hate him. "Love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins." (1 Peter 4:8)

We all need a daily check up from the neck up to avoid stinkin’ thinkin’ which ultimately leads to hardening of the attitudes.

People often think that when they get what they want, that's gonna make them happy. I didn't have lotsa wants; at least, I can't recall any strong desire to acquire or possess something. Have always been content with what comes along. Whatever is handed to me, am already good with that. No demands. No more complaining. Have always been thankful.

But, I guess it'll always come in anyone's life when they start really wanting something. They'd try to do whatever it takes to get it. In my case, however, in stead of really grabbing what I want, I kept bugging GOD. In my thoughts, I didn't want to exclude HIM. I wanted HIM to bless my desire and I wanted HIM to give it to me. As if, bargaining, if you may call it that. I'd tell HIM indignant reasoning like, "I have not been asking so many things from YOU and just wait for what YOU want to give me. Maybe, this time around, YOU would be kind enough to consider my request." It didn't sound wrong, at least at the moment when I said it. But, well, GOD will always be merciful. Even at my dumbest moment, HE looked at me smiling, told me gently, "you don't know what you're asking for." HE's right. Always right.

All a man's ways seem right to him, but the LORD weighs the heart. The Book of Proverbs tells so much about wisdom. Sometimes, though, people allow the enemy to deceive them by believing his lies -- his accusation, temptation and deception. And it's important to note that Proverbs is not talking about plain human or life wisdom. It talks about Spiritual wisdom. We all must be aware that we wage war against spiritual enemies. And these enemies know enough that the best way to attack a believer is through his thoughts. It's a battlefield of the mind. When a Christian choose to believe the enemy's lie, his daily victory will be far from becoming real. And this is the same reason why many Christians wonder how come the "freedom" they are hoping for has not yet taken place in their lives.

No Christian is expected to do what is right all the time. And that is why Christ, once and for all, offered Himself as atonement for our sins. Because it is NOT possible to live a sinless life. I'd quote a book I recently read by Neil Anderson. He said, "Christians are saints who sin." It's true. Because for as long as we're here in this world, there'll always be failures. Well, the Bible clearly states that, "there is none righteous; no not one." Nevertheless, a Christian's position and identity in Christ shouldn't be used as a ticket to sin. For the Bible also states that, If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left, but only a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire that will consume the enemies of God. - Hebrews 10-26-27

Christians always face spiritual warfare and it gets more intense and forceful as faith increase. Nobody is exempt from facing this truth because the enemy's aim is for us to not receive victory and disprove the faithful work of our Savior, Jesus Christ. Christ promised us victory and freedom. But, the enemy wants to deceive us to believe his lie that it's never gonna happen. How? By injecting certain thoughts in our minds. That is why it is very important to keep praying for Spiritual wisdom and Spiritual discernment so as not to be deceived. The Bible advise us, "whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things." - Philippians 4:8

So, whenever a thought starts to bug you, don't just entertain it. Our thoughts and opinion and belief...they can lure us and reason out for us so we can do the things that are considered not pleasing to God. I don't mean to say our thoughts are naturally filthy. It might not be the case. It could be that the enemy injects an idea in our mind that seem logical. Or, because we so desire something, we tell ourselves, "it couldn't be that bad". Our minds can deceive us. Our desires can, as well. But, we need to remain dependent on GOD's will. We must never live as if we can go ahead of God and see what happens. This is the very reason why many Christians don't fully enjoy their victory as Christ's co-heir--Independence from God's will and purpose.

If there is emptiness in you and you can't feel real joy even you are successful and have all the wonderful things in the world, you might want to give it a thought to consider surrendering to GOD's loving care. Give HIM the wheel and let HIM lead you and start living a life that does not anymore conform to the standards of this world and then strive to renew your mind. Use Spiritual wisdom and discernment so you'll have a clear understanding whether your wants or desires or ways are pleasing to GOD. This will significantly help you experience real freedom.