Recently, I had a situation at work with a colleague I’d been struggling to get along with. When something happened that day, I was deeply hurt and frustrated. My first instinct was to escalate it, to take it higher up the chain so it could be handled.

I messaged my manager, ready to explain everything. But before the reply came, I sensed a gentle nudge in my heart: “Don’t do it.”

When the manager finally responded, I found myself chatting casually about other things, almost forgetting why I’d reached out. Afterwards I asked God, “Why? I need to handle this; it’s becoming too much.”

His quiet response: “Pray for her.”

At first I thought, “Okay, I’ll pray… that You show her how wrong she is, that You avenge me, that I am proven right!” But as I began to pray, the Holy Spirit gently shifted my heart. Instead of frustration, He led me to bless her:

• that her job would be secure,
• that God would meet her and prosper her,
• that peace would cover her life.

It didn’t make sense to my human mind or to the culture of this world. Why would I pray blessings over someone who seemed determined to make my life difficult? Yet as I prayed in obedience, my heart began to soften. The first few words were heavy, but the more I spoke blessings, the lighter my heart became.

Gratitude started rising for her, for my coworkers, for my job, even for the everyday mercies I’d been taking for granted.

Gratitude replaced complaint.
Peace replaced frustration.

I realized I didn’t need to defend myself or chase justice; God was doing something deeper. Even without any immediate change from her, my heart changed toward her. I began to see her as someone deeply loved by God.

For years, I’ve prayed, “Lord, help me see people the way You see them through the blood of Jesus. Help me look beyond their weaknesses, their limitations, their mistakes, and love them with the same compassion You extend toward me.”

He doesn’t look at my flaws and turn away. He surrounds me with people who love and support me despite my imperfections. How could I not extend the same grace to others?

When God asks us to do something, sometimes it feels like it’s about someone else; about blessing, forgiving, or helping another person. But more often, it’s about what He’s doing in us. Obedience is His tool to heal, reshape, and refine our hearts.

While we chase promotion, security, and fairness, He cares first about the posture of our hearts: whole in Him, not whole by the world’s standards.

That moment at work reminded me again: God doesn’t love me because I’m perfect. He loves me because He is love.

Lord, help me love people the way You love me, with the same compassion, the same grace, the same eyes of mercy. Teach me to bless when I want to defend, to obey when I want to react, and to trust You with the rest. Amen.