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)