Life isn't fair. People are rude and as much as you try to be the best person you can be, sometimes you won't get anything in return. And that is OK. This article is to those who give more than they get, so you won't lose hope.
We all have strengths and weaknesses. God has given certain people the ability to be patient, some to be wise and some to be loving. Now, we should all strive to embody the characteristics of God, but some just come much easier to certain people. That's OK, but do not give up on the characteristics you must work for so that you are not lacking in anything. God has gifted me with a heart to love and give to people selflessly, and I thank Him for that. I am not very patient and I am not very wise in listening to God's plan for me and I am working on those things daily. However, the one thing that has come easily to me is selflessness. I cannot live with myself when I do not go above and beyond for others. I cannot live with myself when I am rude to someone; it's just not in my nature.
This is my flaw, sometimes. Selfishness is my biggest pet peeve, which brings me to the reason I am telling you all of this. I struggle a great amount when people do not show me the same kindness I have shown them. I know I am not the only one who struggles with this. I constantly give and when it comes time to get, it seems as though the people around me fall short.
I give more than I get and that is OK.
I will do more for others than they will do for me sometimes. That's life. But I will not let my joy in loving be taken for this reason. Love and kindness do not depend on the people's actions you are loving. God calls us to love and to give unconditionally and we must continue to do so joyfully. It is very frustrating when you love unconditionally only to feel alone when you need it. I understand the feeling, but you will save yourself from much heartache if you stop expecting people to do the same for you as you would do for them. People do not have the same heart as you.
Don't get me wrong, I have been blessed many times by those around me. Don't think I've lost faith in everyone, that is far from the truth. But I have come to the realization I will not be repaid for my love the majority of the time and that's OK. The unfairness of giving more than getting did not stop Jesus from giving His own life. He gave His life to those who spat on Him, ridiculed Him, and the future generation who would deny His existence and live in sin. None of this stopped Him.
Buying someone food and not getting a thank you should not stop you.
Giving all of your time to someone only to be left when something "more important" comes along should not stop you.
Being treated like crap when you show someone respect and kindness should not stop you.
If we let kindness and love be conditional to getting good responses, we have missed the point of the Gospel. God calls us to love and He has promised it will not be easy. Let us find joy in the fact that we are loving a creation of God, because He has called us to rather than finding joy in the response that is returned to us. Believe me it is hard. Yet, when you focus on this truth, "This is a creation of God and He has called me to love them," it will be significantly easier and more beneficial to you and them.
Do not let your loving heart be masked because those around you have fallen short in giving to you in return.
