Isaiah 61:1 The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners.

We all want to be comfortable in our environment. But many things in life make us uncomfortable: excess heat, excess cold, unpleasant odors, ugliness as in dingy and dark, or people that are difficult to be around. Many of these circumstances we have the power to change or extricate ourselves from. But the people in our lives, that’s not so easy. How to love the unlovely?

The passage in Isaiah 61 speaks of the mission of the Lord Jesus. He accomplished his purpose in the earth because the Spirit of the Sovereign Lord was upon Him. Every believer has access to the power of the Holy Spirit. He is the one who enables us to do things which we would not otherwise be capable of doing in order that God can be glorified. So we have to pray for that ability. Ask God to fill you with the Holy Spirit. Only then can you begin to minister to others with the humility that serving demands.

Be compassionate to someone who rubs you the wrong way.  Seize an opportunity when alone to ask how he/she is doing. Let them talk while you listen. Often that is the best gift. Find out if there is something concrete you can do to help. If not, promise that you are available if the need arises and mentally commit to fulfilling that promise. Become a helper/friend instead of a critic. The person who is constantly lashing out has a problem but it is not you. You just happen to be nearest. So the next time you are in the line of fire, respond with kindness or humility and affirm the good you see in them. See what happens. In time, you may have an opportunity to share the good news of the gospel.