Love the Broken

Have you ever met people who refuse to work toward understanding or compromise, even when clear evidence is presented?  

From my experience, when some individuals don’t get their way, they can become extremely unpleasant, especially when money is involved! How should I, as a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ, respond to such people? If I were honest, most of the time I tend to respond similarly, with a lot of frustration added, and that never accomplishes anything.  

The theme that has been impressed on me over the past several days is “loving the sinful and broken.” Every person, created in the image of God, shares the same reality – we are all born into sin. We all stand guilty before a holy and righteous judge. So, how should we treat others, regardless of how they treat us?  

1. Treat others with respect, recognizing that they are created in the image of God. We cannot control how others respond. We are only responsible for our own responses.  

2. Listen carefully without judgment. For most of us, listening isn't our natural first response. Instead, we're quick to react, often driven by emotions like anger, defensiveness, or frustration, which can cause us to speak before truly understanding the situation. True listening takes patience and humility… qualities I continue to work on.   

3. Offer tangible help, not just words. You can do this by recognizing their concern and offering practical advice to help them achieve their goals. Instead of attacking, choose to come alongside them with a spirit of understanding and a willingness to help.  

4. Speak the truth in love mixed with a lot of kindness and gentleness. I have no problem speaking the truth to others. It’s kindness and gentleness that are often lacking in my response during unpleasant situations. Remember that truth spoken in love comes from a desire to see the best outcome for the other person. God Himself is love, and His nature is to give, serve, and bless. When we seek the good of others, we reflect His image to a broken world. 

Christians are called to extend the same grace, mercy, and love that Christ has shown to us. This is a great reminder for daily life!