The word of God is alive and active . . . it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. (Heb. 4:12)
I hit the roommate jackpot years ago. When I moved to my current city, I knew just a handful of people. A friend told me about her friend who needed a roommate. As a then-single woman, networking for a roommate was especially important to me. My new roommate and I hit it off instantly.
We enjoyed cooking, having coffee, and formed a weekly Bible study with other friends. For two years, my roommate was a good friend, a safe person with whom I could laugh and cry. Her friends became my friends. We bonded quickly. Then one day, things began to change. Our relationship became extremely difficult and reigned with miscommunication. After more than two years as roommates, we parted ways. Our friendship was over. I apologized and sought to continue our friendship but to no avail. My heart became angry, hurt, and hard.
One day, I read Ephesians 4:1–2: “As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.” I realized God was calling me to love my former friend with a heart like his. His love compelled me to live not with anger and bitterness but to see her as he did. Reading those verses made all the difference.
Practice being humble, gentle, and patient with a difficult person this week.
Tricia Rife lives in Indianapolis with her husband, Adam, and son, Andrew. She loves taking regular trips to Walt Disney World.
© 2019 Wesleyan Publishing House. Reprinted from Light from the Word. Used by permission.
Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®.
