If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them. Be merciful, just as your Father also is merciful.”

Luke 6:32, 36 CSB

My mind holds vivid memories of being dragged to go shopping as a child, often and with various members of my family. Clothes and malls weren’t my thing back then, but I did enjoy plant nurseries—perusing through aisles of God’s creations, seeing the variety in shapes and colors, brushing my fingers along the—ouch! Cacti.

Cacti and succulents were instant favorites in my book. Differing from typical flowering plants, they can withstand harsh conditions and are secretly composed of hydration and nutrients.

The greatest distinction of cacti are their pointy needles, called “spines.” Spines not only help the plant retain moisture, they protect it from predators.

Have you ever met someone who seems to walk around with a permanent “armor” toward people from getting close? Have you felt that way yourself, getting snippy or shooting arrows to keep people at bay?

Like cacti, people can inflict pain as a defense mechanism. What if the people in your life who feel hard to love, are actually just survivors of harsh conditions, trying to protect themselves?

Personally, I’m incredibly thankful that God placed spiritual warriors in my life who showed me how heavy and exhausting carrying that “armor” and being self-sustaining was. In turn, the Lord has placed compassion in my heart towards hurting individuals who are just trying to survive.

What are you trying to survive from on your own? I encourage you to confess to a Godly confidant who can sharpen and love you.

Who has the Lord allowed in your life who feels hard to love? I challenge you to show love or understanding to that person this week, without expectation.

Sometimes, we can all be a bit prickly.

Taylor Newton