There will always be someone in your life who will irritate you in the most frustrating manner -effectively pushing the buttons that lead to aggravation, fear, and anger. You will be tempted to despise that person and, perhaps, even seek revenge. However, today’s verse should serve as a strong warning for you.

Friend, this person is not your foe. Rather, this individual has been allowed into your life so that God can grow godliness within you and strengthen your faith.

Whoever is tempting you to anger or frustration is a person in need of grace. It will take all of your trust in the Father to deal with that person in a godly manner, but you are called to do no less.

Therefore, exercise your faith and ask God to give you the power to express patience, forgiveness, and love to that person as He would. Certainly, the Lord will bless your desire to honor Him with a greater revelation of Himself.

“Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen.”

(1 John 4:20)

(From “Every Day in His Presence,” by Charles Stanley)