Stepping On Toes

"Treat others the way you want to be treated."

Luke 6:31

"We used to be friends. Now it's like we hate each other."  I have heard this statement more times than I can count during my time in ministry.  I didn't really understand the gravity of such situations until it happened to me and I was left saying the same thing.

I was confiding in a ministerial friend whom I find strength and MUCH wisdom, and God stepped on my toes through her. "Where in Scripture does it say we should only treat people who like us like we want to be treated?"  POKE!!!  Right between the eyes!  "And", she continued, "Does Jesus tell us to be selective in how we treat others, or does He simply say 'Treat others' as in ALL others?"  THUMP!! Right to my heart!  She concluded by reminding me that it is MY responsibility to treat EVERYONE the way I want to be treated because I can only control how I respond to people.  If someone treats me badly, turn them over to God, let go of my hurt, and every time I have contact with that person, keep treating them as I want to be treated.

I don't know about you, but I don't like being treated badly.  I don't like having my toes stepped on either, but God has a way of making His point and quite the impression.

Abba,

Thank You for those who help me understand when I am blinded by my own feelings.  Remind me to turn EVERYTHING and EVERYONE over to You!  Most of all, thank YOU for loving me so much that You are so willing to teach me, even if I don't like it.