Essential Bible Verses for Dealing with Difficult People

I have been struggling with my attitude towards someone lately, and wanted to collect some scriptures to help me with that. 

1. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live at peace with all. (Romans 12:18)
2. Do unto others as you would have them do unto you, for this is the Law and the Prophets. (Matthew 7:12)
3. Judge not, so that you will not be judged.  (Matthew 7:1)
4. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person. (Colossians 4:6)
5. See that no one repays evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to everyone. (1 Thessalonians 5:15)
6. Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, for love covers a multitude of sins. (1 Peter 4:8)
7. Do not repay evil for evil or slander for slander, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing. (1 Peter 3:9)
8. Have nothing to do with foolish, ignorant controversies; knowing that they breed quarrels. And the Lord's servant must not quarrel but be kind to everyone, able to teach, patient. (2 Timothy 2:23-24)
9.  Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you. (Ephesians 4:32)
10. Pursue peace with everyone, and holiness without which no one will see the Lord. (Hebrews 12:14)

   So many good candidates for this list. 

The temptation to measure God's love by personal convenience

I find a temptation to measure God's love by personal convenience. The thought tends to lurk unspoken, since when said out loud it's clearly an ungrounded thought. And yet it's a real one, so I'll take a moment to look at it. 

There's that quiet assumption in my mind: I measure temperature with a thermometer, weight with a scale, and God's love by whether my life is going to my plan, or by my comfort and convenience, or by prosperity. When I look at "How much do my plans meet with success?", does that really measure God's love more than my planning ability? Or does it measure events I could not foresee? 

The Bible relates the life journeys of those that I am sure God loved, and they were not easy lives. We see Abraham called to leave his homeland, Joseph in prison, Moses on the run, the Hebrews wandering in the wilderness for a generation, Daniel imprisoned, Paul shipwrecked. Even Christ, executed. And so many others I haven't named. 

So I have to remember that comfort is not a measure of God's love. Desiring an easy life may say more about me than about God, and what it says is not necessarily flattering. 

How do I recognize love? Love listens. Love hears. Love is present. Love is there for us. And especially that presence: when I think of God's omnipresence, I might remember why it matters. Omnipresence is part of the fabric of God's love: Nothing can separate us from the love of God. In scripture, Paul named a long series of things that cannot separate us from the love of God, and he would know: he had experienced many of those hardships that he named. 

On this day, may I stop trying to measure God's love against my smallness, and choose to trust God's love. 

All Saints: Clouds of witnesses and role models

Today at church we celebrated the festival of All Saints. I see those who have gone before us as an encouragement. In the letter to the Hebrews, we're urged to be mindful of the "great cloud of witnesses" as we complete our earthly tasks. And I draw encouragement from the example of what is possible, as lived in the lives of many who have gone before. So in honor of God's people throughout history, here are some who have inspired me: 

1. Naomi - Mother-in-law of Ruth, who was an ancestor of King David. Naomi's love, kindness, and warmth created a home and converted a soul. 
2. Solomon - King of Israel, son of David and Bathsheba .When he dreamed that God offered him anything he might ask, he asked for the wisdom to be a good ruler of such a great people. 
3. Mary of Bethany - Sister of Martha and Lazarus. She famously sat at Jesus' feet and listened rather than busying herself; Jesus stood by her decision and said she had chosen what is better. 
4. Athanasius - Author of several books including On the Incarnation of the Word of God. His clarity in explaining Christ's work, and his passion for showing why it is good news, make his masterpiece writing nearly as inspiring as the canonical gospels. 
5. Eusebius the Historian - Following in the footsteps of Luke, he aimed to be careful in record-keeping and so preserved many fascinating references and faith-building connections. He is an inspiration for me in carrying history by the use of primary sources. 
6. Saint Francis - This man had an innocence so fresh that it would be easy to dismiss as naive, though his spirit had a beauty and generosity that continues in enduring appeal. 
7. Saint Clare - Her single-minded devotion to loving and serving God first earned her the respect of St Francis, and later earned her place among those who led their generation in serving God. 
8. J.S. Bach - an evangelist with a keyboard, he was a prolific composer who is well-known for his beautiful and powerful songs. He would often close his compositions with the initials SDG (Soli Deo Gloria): to God alone be the glory. 
9. G.F. Handel - Another prolific composer, he is most famous for his powerful, electrifying, and hauntingly beautiful composition Messiah, with its well-known finale Hallelujah Chorus. As I've mentioned before, I would rate his Hallelujah as the best Bible study ever written on the Book of Revelation. 
10. Therese of Lisieux - a nun who died young, she attracted many with her humble, accessible humility and her warm, generous spirituality. Her autobiography, recorded in obedience to her mother superior while she was dying, is one of my inspirations. 
11. Theresa of Calcutta - a modern saint whose intense love and devotion shined a light of compassion into the devastatingly poor slums of Calcutta. 
12. J.R.R. Tolkien - not officially a saint on anyone's list except possibly my own, Tolkien's imagination re-envisioned a world in which culture, beauty, and the natural world thrive side-by-side. His work is layered deeply with Christian themes such as the wisdom of hope, the necessity of forgiveness, and the desirability of good. 

Essential Bible verses for posting on social media

These Bible verses about speech are helpful to me for social media: 

1. The first to present his case seems right until another comes forward and questions him. (Proverbs 18:17)
2. A gentle answers turns away wrath, but grievous words stir up anger. (Proverbs 15:1)
3. These six things the LORD hates, and seven are an abomination to him: a proud look, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked imaginings, feet that run swiftly to mischief, a false witness who speaks lies, and he who sows discord among brothers. (Proverbs 6:16-19)
4. Dear brothers and sisters: be swift to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger. For the wrath of man does not bring about the righteousness of God. (James 1:19-20)
5. Speak the truth in love. (Ephesians 4:15)
6. Let no unwholesome talk come out of your mouth, but that which is good for the purpose of building up, that it may serve to bring grace to those who hear. (Ephesians 4:29)
7. In your anger do not sin: do not let the sun go down upon your anger. (Ephesians 4:26)
8. Do not repay evil with evil. Be careful to do what is right. (Romans 12:17)
9. Love one another as I have loved you, that you also love each other. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples: if you have love for each other. (John 13:34-35)
10. When he [the devil] speaks a lie, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies. (John 8:44)
11. A good man brings good out of the good treasured in his heart, and an evil one out of the evil brings forth evil: for out of the overflow of the heart, the mouth speaks. (Luke 6:45)
12. Bless those who curse you. Pray for those who persecute you. (Luke 6:28)

Essential Bible Verses On Prayer

These passages of the Bible focus on God hearing our prayers: 

1. And as for Ishmael, I have heard you: Behold, I have blessed him, and will make him fruitful, and will multiply him greatly. He shall beget twelve princes, and I will make him a great nation. (Genesis 17:20)
   
   
2. And the LORD said, I have surely seen the affliction of my people in Egypt, and have heard their cry because of their taskmasters; for I know their sorrows. (Exodus 3:7)
   
   
3. And the LORD said to him, "I have heard your prayer and your request that you have made before me: I have hallowed this house, which you have built, to put my name there for ever; and my eyes and my heart shall be there perpetually.(1 Kings 9:3)
   
   
4. Thus says the LORD, the God of David your father: I have heard your prayer, I have seen your tears: behold, I will heal you. On the third day you shall go up unto the house of the LORD. (2 Kings 20:5)
   
   
5. Because your heart was tender, and you have humbled yourself before the LORD, when you heard what I spoke against this place, and against those who live there, that they should become a desolation and a curse, and you have rent your clothes and wept before me; I also have heard you, says the LORD.(2 Kings 22:19)
   
   
6. And the LORD appeared to Solomon by night, and said to him, I have heard your prayer, and have chosen this place to myself for a house of sacrifice. (2 Chronicles 7:12)
   
   
7. Thus says the LORD: In an acceptable time I have heard you, and in a day of salvation I have helped you. And I will preserve you, and give you for a covenant of the people, to establish the earth, to cause to inherit the desolate inheritance. (Isaiah 49:8)

These passages speak of God hearing our prayers: prayers of parents for children, prayers of relief for suffering, prayers for places of worship, prayers for healing, prayers for forgiveness, prayers for grace. 

Thomas A Kempis 1.25 (Part 3) - Stronger growth in the spirit

How do so many other religious orders live? They are confined in the discipleship of the cloister: seldom going out, removed from the world, eating as the poorest, dressing rough, working much, talking little, watching long, rising early, prolonging their prayers, reading frequently, and in every way keeping discipline. Observe the monastic orders, the Carthusians and the Benedictines and the Cistercians, and the monks and nuns of different religions, rising up every night to sing to God. It would be shameful to sleep in and be lazy in such a holy work, where so many of the religious orders begin to rejoice in God.

Oh, if nothing else tied up our time, we could praise the Lord our God with our whole heart and voice! Oh, if you never needed to eat or drink or sleep, but could always praise God and give yourself to spiritual strength alone, you would be much happier than with the necessity of being servant to your body. I wish that these were not necessities, but only the spiritual refreshments of the soul, which sadly we taste too seldom.

When a man comes to this point that he seeks comfort from no creature, then for him God begins to be perfectly wise, then also he will be content in whatever circumstances. Then he will not rejoice over having plenty nor be sad over having little, but commits himself wholly and trustingly to God, who is all in all to him, to whom nothing is born or dies, but all things live to Him and wholly serve Him.

Remember always how things end, and how time lost does not return. Without heartfelt dedication and diligence you will never acquire virtues. If you begin to turn lukewarm, things will begin to go ill with you. But if you give yourself to enthusiasm you will find great peace, and you will feel lighter in your labor because of the grace of God and the love of virtue. A man who treasures virtue is ready for all things. It is harder work to resist sins and passions than to do manual labor. Whoever does not avoid small faults will slowly fall into greater ones. You will always be glad in the evening if you spent the day productively. Be mindful of your own progress, regardless of what others choose: do not neglect yourself. The progress you make will match the power of your effort. Amen.

(End of Book I)

Imitation of Christ by Thomas A Kempis, 1.25 (third part).

Translation focused on contemporary English and preservation of rhetorical force and art

Thomas A Kempis 1.25 (Part 2) - Stronger growth in the spirit

We do not all have the same vices to conquer, the same evil desires to put to death. The one who is diligent -- even if he has more vices -- will have stronger success than someone who has fewer faults but less dedication to the pursuit of virtue. Two things in particular are helpful to greatly amending ourselves: withdrawing forcefully from the sin to which we are naturally most inclined, and pursuing fervently that good in which we are most lacking. Mark especially those faults you find most frequently in others, and study how to subdue them in yourself. 

You will make progress wherever you may be if you see or hear good examples and kindle your spirit to follow them. But if you see* anything blameworthy, be careful that you are not doing the same thing, or if sometime you have done it, quickly learn how to correct yourself. As your eye takes note of* others, so they are also taking note of you. How joyful and refreshing it is to see devoted and enthusiastic brothers in the faith who are self-controlled and sinless. How sad and distressful to see them walking disorderly, not walking the walk to which they are called. How hurtful it is to neglect the purpose of their calling, and to turn their inclinations to things which are not in keeping with their calling.

Be mindful of what you have seized as your purpose, and keep the image of the Crucified before yourself. You might well feel shame as you look on the life of Jesus Christ, because you have not yet made any great effort to conform yourself more to Him, though you have counted yourself as following God's way for a long time. Someone who is religious, who exercises himself seriously and devotedly in the most holy life and passion of our Lord, will find there all things that are useful and necessary. Neither is there any need to seek something better beyond Jesus. Oh! if Jesus crucified would come into our hearts, how quickly and completely we should have been instructed. 

A devoted religious person bears all things well, and receives all the commands given. The one who neglects his faith, who is lukewarm, has trouble upon trouble and suffers anguish from all sides: first because he is without inward consolation, and then because he is forbidden to seek that outward consolation. The one who claims a religious life but lives outside of that devotion risks serious ruin. Someone who is seeking that easier, more lenient path is always going to be in distress, because one thing or another will displease him.

Imitation of Christ by Thomas A Kempis, 1.25 (second part).

Translation focused on contemporary English and preservation of rhetorical force and art

* Here, again, it seems likely that the Latin text was mis-transcribed at some points (and again, f for s). Particularly, the online Latin text has "confideraverit" and "confiderat" where a more likely reading would be "consideraverit" and "considerat". I've translated accordingly.