Great relationships make life a lot more enjoyable. However, one reality check that may be hard to accept is that not everybody will like you or want a relationship with you. People will either like you and respond to you, or they won’t. That’s just life.
When that happens, we have choices to make. How will we treat people who don’t like us? Are we going to peacemakers or troublemakers? Are we going to love people despite their quirks, faults, and shortcomings, or are we going to be offended by them? Are we going to be a person who encourages others, or are we going to be judgmental, critical, and a backbiter? Are we going to sincerely pray for people, or are we going to gossip about them?
As Christians, Jesus has called us to a higher standard. He said in Matthew 5:14, 16 (ERV), “You are the light that shines for the world to see. . . . Live so that they will see the good things you do and praise your Father in heaven.”
Romans 12:17-18 (NLT) says, “Never pay back evil with more evil. Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honorable. Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone.” Bottom line, when it comes to relationships, our job as a Christian is simply to love people and “work at living in peace with everyone” (Hebrews 12:14 NLT).
THE TAKE AWAY
In life, we must realize that we may not be everyone’s “cup of tea.” However, whether or not people like or approve of us, doesn’t matter. We are called to love people and to be peacemakers.
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