Loving Others When It’s Hard
We know that when the Bible repeats something over and over, it’s because the message is important—and often difficult for us to grasp. But love? Why would loving others be so hard?
Why Does the Bible Emphasize Love So Much?
Fear is mentioned in the Bible 365 times, and that makes sense to me. “Do not fear” is a difficult command to follow because life is full of uncertainty. We live in a world filled with turmoil, health struggles, and challenges beyond our control. Fear is natural.
But love? Shouldn’t loving others be the easiest command to follow?
Toddlers naturally show love, leaning in to kiss other children, animals, and even their stuffed toys. They aren’t taught how to love—it just flows from them. That makes sense because God breathed life into us, and since He is love, we are born with His love inside us.
So, when does that change?
When do we go from being naturally loving to judging who is or isn’t worthy of love?
When Do We Stop Loving Freely?
Could it be that as we grow, we learn to dislike things based on experience? Maybe it starts with something as small as trying a new food and deciding we don’t like it. Or perhaps it begins when we’re told no—when we wanted that extra cookie but were denied, and we learned to judge fairness and people’s actions.
Then, life gets more complicated. People hurt us. They say unkind things. They betray our trust. Loving someone who has wounded us—physically, emotionally, or spiritually—is difficult.
But God still tells us to love.
God Loves Us Even When We Are Hard to Love
Why does the Bible mention love so many times?
I’m sure biblical scholars could give an in-depth theological answer, but here’s what I believe:
To God, we are those hard-to-love people.
We may not be physically mean to God, but we have certainly hurt Him. We have judged others, spoken harshly, acted selfishly, and sinned against Him.
And yet… He still loves us.
Romans 5:8 (NIV):
“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
Think about that for a moment. Before we ever acknowledged Him, before we ever repented, before we ever tried to be better—God already loved us enough to send Jesus to the cross.
If someone hurt my child, I can tell you right now that loving them would be off the table. But God loves us even when we fail Him, even when we disappoint Him.
Choosing to Love Like God Loves Us
If God weren’t pure love, none of us would stand a chance of making it to Heaven. His grace and mercy cover us daily—not because we deserve it, but because He chooses to love us anyway.
So here’s the real question:
If I want God to love me even when I’m unlovable…
Why wouldn’t I extend the same love to others?
1 John 4:7-8 (NIV):
“Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.”
Loving others doesn’t mean excusing their wrongdoings or allowing them to mistreat us. But it does mean choosing to love them anyway—the way God loves us anyway.
To GOD Goes The Glory
Have A Bless Day
Let’s End with a Prayer
Heavenly Father, I thank You for loving me even when I don’t deserve it. You see my flaws, my mistakes, and my shortcomings, yet You continue to pour out Your love and grace. Lord, help me to love others the way You love me. When I am tempted to judge or hold back love, remind me that You never hold back Your love from me. Give me a heart that reflects Yours—full of kindness, patience, and compassion.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Yes, God is love and we are made in His image. So that makes us love as well. And if we are love we can not stop being love because we can’t stop being who we are. But it is up to us to show that love regardless.
Thank you for sharing this great message.
I am Pam, how to I know if I won this week, it says Pam no last name?
Pam, unfortunately, you are not the “Pam with no name.” I emailed the correct Pam, and hopefully she sees me email soon.
I liked starting my day reading this post. Most of us have a family member, neighbor, or friend who is sometimes difficult to love. I like that I started my morning reading this.
Thanks Tania!
Thank you for that message!
Sometimes the things that should come by the easiest are the most difficult.
Thank you for the reminder.
I love your message today and your statement “Loving others doesn’t mean excusing their wrongdoings or allowing them to mistreat us.”
Am I the Pam who won this week?
No, I’m sorry that is the wrong email address.
Amen!! Thank you, Tania.
Thank you for a wonderful lesson today. Your devotionals are very timely and meaningful, so much appreciated! Have a great evening.
How true this is that we ARE hard to love! Such a great reminder that God loves us even at our worst ❤️
I needed this today after facing some hurtful betrayal this past week. Thank you!
I’m sorry, Lee. I know that hurts.
Love your Sunday lessons. There is something in them for everyone. And they always seem to hit home. Thank you so much
Wanda Mullen
I look so forward to your Sunday messages. They always seem to be something I need to hear! Thank you for your witness.
Thank you Tania! I needed to hear this today. God has been working on me and unforgiveness with family relationships and it is so, so hard. Your words were needed this morning.
Truth; loving others sometimes can be the hardest but with complete surrender to God we can conquer that sin. I am still trying hard on this one.
Really enjoyed your column on love today. As a United Methodist, I take to heart John Wesley’s adherence to prevenient grace, the amazing assurance that God loved us even before we responded to him. So it is our charge that we must love others as God loves us: then, now and forevermore.
Luv your testimony! Soo encouraging to so many!
Thank you, Tania, for the reminder to love and forgive. I’m sure we will all have plenty of opportunities to love and forgive this week!! Thank you for your thoughtful words.🫶 Gara
thank you for your devotional post!
I really enjoy reading your Sunday posts. This was one I really needed to read and remember today. Thanks.
I always look forward to your Sunday lessons tremendously. And I have been recently zeroed in on your ending prayers. Such a beautiful way to end your Sunday posts. Thank you, Tania!
Thank you for this post . I always enjoy your Sunday Posts.God bless you.
Gosh, I LOVE this. Amazing message as always, thank you. I appreciate your blog, the clothing, makeup and spiritual content. Keep it coming! Thank you, Tam.
Thank you, this is a great message.
Awesome. meaningful devotion you wrote!
Thank you for the reminder of LOVE others as Christ did.
Thank you for reminding me of this message.
J
Beautiful! Happy Sunday 🙏🏻❤️🙏🏻
Love this! I will try to keep it in my mind and heart, thank you for posting! God Bless!
Sylvia Coleman
I needed to be reminded of this today. What perfect timing as I have been faced with a very challenging personal relationship. But I need to focus on showing love.
Thank you for your obedience in sharing your Sunday messages! This one is so appropriate to kick off February. It puts how God loves us and how we should love others into perspective.
Thank you for today’s Sunday post about God’s love. I enjoyed it. I love your Sunday posts.
Not sure if I’m the winner of the gift card, I’m Pam.
I enjoy your blog and look forward to seeing your posts every morning!🩷
Pam, I’m sorry, it wasn’t you. I have sent an email to the correct Pam, and hopefully I’ll be able to update everyone on her last name.
“To God, we are those hard-to-love people.” Amen, exactly. Romans 5:8 is the perfect verse. God loved us, not because we were good, but while we were actively sinning and offending Him. And He calls us to extend that same love to others, but not through our own strength… rather with His strength.
GREAT devotional post this am, Tania.
And… this very verse Roman 5:8 was preached on today at my church! I love it when God does that!
Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we could all love like God loves us?
Beautiful! I heard a very famous preacher once say “Hurt people, hurt other people.” This world is fallen and anytime that we can shine our light of the Holy Spirit within us, the better this world will be. Keep shining Tania!
Good morning,
First, I appreciate your Sunday devotionals. They are a blessing as well as convicting at times. 😊
Also, I saw that the winner of the Amazon gift card was Pam. Is that me or another Pam? If it is me, will the gift card be emailed to me?
Thank you,
Pam Frank
Pam, I’m sorry, it wasn’t you. I have sent an email to the correct Pam, and hopefully I’ll be able to update everyone on her last name.
Your message today is just what I needed! I have been struggling with a challenging relationship with a long time friend. I think she might need some love today. Thank you Tania. You always give me something to think about.
Thank you, Tania.
This is perfect for the first Sunday of February! ♥️
Another perfect message. Your Sunday posts are my must-reads for the week.
This was beautiful! What a great way to start my Sunday morning before church! You may want to start an online devotional! Thank you. I don’t know you other than your emails but you have a beautiful heart centered on God!
I really needed to see this post. It really inspired me. I so appreciate the woman of faith that you are🙏
I really needed to read this post. Your faith is so inspiring to me. Thank you
Tania! 🙏
Good morning, Tania Stephen’s, thank you for today’s word on Love, so lovely expressed. I offered follow you daily however today hit home about love which I found in your words today. So inspiring, not forgetting the fashions. Thank you again
Thank you this reminder that God loved us first. As I get older that is more true than ever before. My whole outlook on people has changed for the better. Have a blessed week
I think it’s hard to not be judgey. When I find myself judging others, or finding fault in others, I quickly remind myself to: “Judge not. lest ye be judged”. And I often repeat that line to my husband lol! Maybe it’s because, as retirees, we have less to focus our minds on, maybe it’s just dismay with the world. But what you say here is so important! Love others! And thankfully we have a patient, kind God who forgives we imperfect humans. Thank you, God!!
This is a great devotion. Thank you for these Sunday posts!