When you're upset with someone
Road to Easter, Day #21 2026 | Alison Lloyd
You shall not hate your brother in your heart, but you shall reason frankly with your neighbour, lest you incur sin because of him… You shall love your neighbour as yourself.
Leviticus 19: 17-18
Yesterday I found out that a person who was in our Bible study group last year has left our church. I don’t know why. Neither does anyone else at church. We only know she has taken offence at something, and told the office she won’t be coming back. She is not picking up our pastor’s calls.
I was discussing this with my husband and speculating on why she left. Fruitlessly, of course. I can’t help thinking – in what way were we not good enough for her? It’s dissatisfying and upsetting when you have unknowingly failed someone’s expectations, despite your efforts. It’s upsetting when you feel the unity of your church family has been broken. Something is unresolved, for her and for us.
Instead of speculating, I would have done better to talk, (to my spouse or God), about my feelings. I avoid conflict. It’s uncomfortable. I don’t like it. This Levitical law is not suggesting I should be brash, or argumentative, or let out the full force of anger in an immediate torrent of hurtful words. This verse, and yesterday’s news, does remind me I must be courageous, open and reasonable about how I feel or what I think. The overriding principle is ‘love your neighbour as yourself.’
Dear Lord, give me the courage to face the uncomfortable. Help me love truthfully.
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