DISAPPOINTED BUT NOT DISCOURAGED. By Pastor Fernando

SCRIPTURE - 2 Corinthians 6:11-13

We have spoken freely to you, Corinthians, and opened wide our hearts to you. We are not withholding our affection from you, but you are withholding yours from us. As a fair exchange—I speak as to my children—open wide your hearts also.

OBSERVATION
Paul was disappointed about the way the church in Corinth had responded to his love for them. But Paul didn't give up on them. He continued focused in God's calling for his life, even when he faced all kinds of setbacks and roadblocks from outsiders and even insiders of the church. He is not letting the Corinthians' cold shoulder discourage him.

APPLICATION
Very often we will open our hearts to people and we will invest in building relationships that give God the glory. But very often, people will respond in a way that may disappoint us, but should never discourage us from doing what is right. Our tendency is to give and invest as much as others do. We want to be fair and be treated with fairness. But life is not fair, and we cannot determine our attitude by the response of others. We must continue focused in our calling to love and shepherd people. We cannot give up on them even when they give up on us.

The enemy wants to destroy and undermine the essence of God's love in our relationships. We need to persevere and pay the price with our sacrificial love. It's easy to love when we receive the same love. But the real test is when people respond with suspicion, with unfaithfulness, with arrogance, with defensiveness, with lack of appreciation, or simply when they ignore us. Our goal should be the same as Jesus, who regardless of our response, gave it all to love us.

PRAYER
Dear heavenly Father, thank you for encouraging me today to love others regardless of their response to my affection. I may be disappointed when people don't treat my love with fairness, but I will not be discouraged or stop investing my love. I will continue pouring out my life as an offering until these people are conquered by my love. Let our church be a place where we continue loving people regardless of how they treat us. Let us love our community, even if we are not appreciated. Gives your heart for people, a heart that never fails and never gives up. Amen!