How to Love the "Un-loveable"
No doubt, it is hard enough to live with some people, and loving them may be even more difficult. But if we are living our lives to please Almighty God, in order for us to find favor in His sight, we must play by 'His Rules'. In other words, we must love as He would love, and serve as Christ would serve. Bear in mind that we have no credit if we love them that love us and do good to them that do good to us (Luke 6:31-32-NASB). Scripture did not advise us to do to others what they do to us, instead Jesus said, "Treat others the same way you want them to treat you" (vs.31) It comes back to, "what you get is what you give". We ought to be aware that "what goes around comes around", and that's a true saying! "Give, and it will be given to you. They will  pour into your lap a good measure—pressed down, shaken together, and running over. For by your standard of measure it will be measured to you in return" (vs.38).  
So, instead of being an annoyer to the annoyer and instead of backbiting about the backbiter and trying to kill the murderer, do good to them. Love them, serve them, let them know that you care about them. Say kind words to and about the hypocrite. You do this because it is the right thing to do! Imagine what hate and hate will do, think about what killing and more killing will do. Wouldn't it encourage more "people that like"? It will only increase the 'ugliness of sin' and a more bitter world. 
  
                                            Consider the Rewards
But think about what the world will be like, and what your life could be like, if you are able to love everyone including those who persecute you, or anyone that does you wrong. Yes, it is no easy task but it is not unattainable because it if was, then God would not have encouraged us to do it. You  can do this! God will enable you, and though you feel not obliged of loving "difficult" people, you don't really have a choice if you want to have a blessed and fulfilling life. You got to love 'em, when they're good and when they're bad. 
(vs.27-30)- “But I say to you who hear, love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. Whoever hits you on the cheek, offer him the other also; and whoever takes away your coat, do not withhold your shirt from him either. Give to everyone who asks of you, and whoever takes away what is yours, do not demand it back." 

God sets the example of love for us to follow.
(vs.35-37) "But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High; for He Himself is kind to ungrateful and evil men. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful. Do not judge, and you will not be judged; and do not condemn, and you will not be condemned; pardon, and you will be pardoned."

If  God who is Holy and loving and perfect  in nature, could love me; a wretched, undeserving, human being, unholy by nature. "But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us" Romans 5:8. Who then is me to reject, hate and disregard my fellow beings, who are all in all imperfect by nature. The fact the breath of life in all of us has being energized by God Himself, should give us some sense of gratitude in our hearts to be loving and kind enough to others the same way God has been to us. After all, we came from the same 'Mother-Father'- let's put it that way. Stop the fighting...stop hating...Love and Be Blessed!


Posted by Tamra Brathwaite @Living to Reach ACME

Dealing with the Unexpected
An expectation is a strong belief that something will or is likely to happen; a strong feeling or belief that something could be achieved. 

How many times something has turn out to be what you did not expect? In other words, the times when you did not expect the unexpected. The job interview didn't turn out to be successful as you thought it would be, the relationship that you love and cherish did not turn out as good as you desired, the business was not as fruitful as you hoped, you did not get the response from God that you thought you should have, you did not do as well on the exam as you wished, you did not come first place in that race as everyone expected, your son or daughter did not become the lawyer or doctor that you had in mind, your bank account is not as high as you hoped it would be by now, your friend did not call you back as she said she would, you are unable to buy that expensive dress or suit that you really want, or may be God worked out a situation in a way that you never even thought off. Expectations gives us a sense of security. We can have full or secured expectations,
meaning that you can have a strong belief that something will happen and there is no other way. We may also have unsecured expectations where you believe that something could be done but at the same time there is a feeling of possibility that it may not happen. 
                                                 
                                        Effect and limitation of unmet expectations
When our expectations are met it is easy for us to put a smile on our face and move on. But what about unmet expectations? How  does it affect you? What is your attitude towards the unexpected? Unrealized hope, or unmet expectations or unfulfilled desires usually bring us dissatisfaction, and we thereby become disappointed because things did not go "my way" or it isn't working out "the that way I planned". If we are disappointed, we may soon become discouraged. Unmet expectations can also harm your relationship with your family, friends, spouse etc. First of all, it diminishes your trust or faith in the person or thing that you looked up to and eventually we tend to pull away from the named source of our disappointment. Sadly, we tend to react the same way towards God. We disconnect form God when we feel like God has disappointed us, simply because we do not understand His ways. Having expectations are not wrong in it self but sometimes we tend to bargain for too much, i.e setting high expectations of/for something or someone. High expectations are often more than the reality or possibility of something happening. In other words it may be that you have an unrealistic expectation, and this kind of expectations are usually the unmet ones. It is often quoted, "if you have no expectations, you will have no disappointments." Sometimes lowering your expectations will prevent unnecessary disappointment. One writer said, "When you learn how to accept instead of expect then you will have fewer disappointments."

                  Discouraged, Distracted and Distorted:                                                          THE 3D SYNDROME 
Discouragement is like a common cold. It can easily influence our body (and soul) if precaution is not taken. It is of one those test in life which we face most often.  It is said that discouragement is the number one thing that keep Christians from reaching the highest point in their spiritual life. In the same way it is a stumbling block for any goal intended to achieve in life. Discouragement stops progress. No "trial" is easy to deal with. But there are some that are inevitable while others can be controlled by just a simple choice (such is discouragement). 

 As I faced discouragement in my own life, it never occurred to me the first time, nor the second, nor the third time that I don't have to feel this way. I can choose to not to be discouraged or choose to feel discouraged. After all, an offensive statement, a belittlement from your teacher, thoughts that oppose your view, or some bad news, do not in any way determine 'who I am' or who you are or even where you going, unless you let it. We should be careful of who or what we allow to drive us, push us, control or change us.                                
                                                    The 3D syndrome attack
 Here is why it is called the 3D syndrome. In times of discouragement we are often distracted by the source of discouragement. Therefore, instead of disconnecting from discouragement you connect with it and eventually you won't be able to see or think clearly. The worst point of discouragement is distortion. Not just of your thoughts, but your heart disconnects with God who is the source of your strength and who can and will inspire you to move forward. You will start loosing faith in God the moment you decide to dance with discouragement. Most often discouragement rise from our awareness that we are unable to overcome a difficult situation. If you already know that there isn't anything that can do about it, then let your let faith deepen in God whom you love, by whom we are called for His purpose, to go through everything for a good reason (Romans 8:28). "Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths" (Proverbs 3:5-6). Do not settle in the nest of discouragement! Choose to fly free!

                The most powerful weapon against discouragement is encouragement. 
                                      Fighting the Syndrome
Go where you will be encouraged. "Well -where can I go?" Maybe talk to a pastor or a good friend, fellowship with your Christian brothers and sisters. They too might need some encouragement. "Well-how effective will that be?" "I am in need of encouragement. I can't encourage someone else while am being discouraged myself." Well, God never encouraged us to put ourselves first in any case but rather value others more than ourselves. Personally, I have sought to encourage others while I was also in need of encouragement on several occasions. Very often it was surprisingly fulfilling. Sometimes I was encouraged in return. Other times I either forgot about my own discouragement or I was encourage through a different means. So it a worth a shot. Be an encouragement!             

What about reading God's Word and a time of prayer? This is perfect time to renew your self in God. "But I'm discouraged and you're telling me in the time of my discouragement I should go fishing for encouragement? How will that ever work?" Well , yes isn't that what you need?  "Don't ever be afraid or discouraged. Be brave and strong" (Isaiah 10:25- CEV). Speak to your own heart,  words that are positive and reassuring. Each of us may be encouraged more strongly in one way than another. You may be encouraged even through music; so relax take some time out and turn up the the music.  Of course, choose appropriate encouraging, inspirational songs. Or read a book, occupy your mind on things will affect the stability of your mind. If none of the above works then may be try encouraging yourself. You can be the most powerful influence to yourself since we live by choice and not by chance. Don't sit and wait to be encouraged, while someone else near pr far from you is being torn apart by a greater disaster or tragedy. One thing that I have learned through my trials is that there is always someone in a worst situation than I am in...so what's the worst scenario that could happen to me? 
                                 It's a test of your faith, So, stand strong!
Bad things will happen but I serve a God who makes the crooked paths straight. One who turns my mourning into dancing. One who gives joy where there is sorrow and restores peace where there is unrest, and gives strength and hope to the weary. I have also learned that gratefulness can boost the soul to joyfulness. Yes, sometimes all I could do is just thank the LORD for everything that I have been through, the good, the bad and the ugly; for everything I will go through and for the difficult time that I am now facing. "How is that possible," you may ask. I do this by choice because I do not want to feel this way, so I break my way through it by persevering that I will get out and move forward. No, I won't allow the devil to keep me from progressing. I won't allow Him to still my joy because the joy that I have the world didn't give it to me; this  breath of life that I breathe he didn't give it to me ...all that I have and that I am is by the grace and mercy of a loving God. And I am confident that God didn't bring me into this world to make me miserable, but the hard times I face is only to build me up and not to bring me down...to prosper me and not to harm.   1 Peter 1:6-7 (NIV) "In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire may result in praise, glory and honor  when Jesus Christ is revealed.           
It isn't God's intention for us to sink beneath our problems and live a discouraged life. No! It's all a test of faith. It's like God saying, "It is your motivation!" It comes back to your attitude towards discouragement or any situation. Hence, discouragement can be taken two ways...use it as a pill for de-motivation or you can take it as a boost for progress.

If you allow it, you will continue to be the rocking  chair while discouragement weigh you down. Don't let the spirit of discouragement depreciate who you are as a person and prevent you from moving forward.  Instead of focusing on the discouragement, focus on the encouragement -your way of escape from daunting discouragement. So what will be your attitude the next time you face discouragement? Stoop low and sulk beneath it and allow yourself to be daunted day and night, or will you rise up and keep moving forward? Remember the odds will always usally be present...but you can control the height of oddness by developing a positive and proper  attitude ...WHATRVER THAT LOOKS LIKE TO YOU. 

                        Posted by Tamra Brathwaite  August, 2014  @Living To Reach ACME