We live in a dog-eat-dog world.

But do we have to?

In our contemporary and selfish world, it seems as if there is something wrong with loving and respecting others because people are so reluctant to do so. Throughout my life, I have been overwhelmed with kind and amazing friends, but like many other people, I have also experienced those who didn’t feel inclined to direct positive vibes towards me.

As a Christian, but very imperfect person, I have struggled with always being as kind as Jesus is.

It’s not possible, but our attempts are always recognized. Obviously it’s impossible to be everyone’s cup of tea every single day, but is it so difficult to try? We all have our bad days, but if we can count our blessings instead of things we think we don’t have, we can share our glee with those we encounter.

A happy heart encourages others to pursue their dreams and be that same encouragement to others. Recognize and love your insecurities so you are able to ask others for help if you need it, and accept others as they bring their insecurities and troubles to you.

Don’t judge someone because they make different mistakes than the ones you make. Acknowledge that no one is perfect and choose to love them anyway. I’ve found that loving others even if they don’t treat me the same is the simplest and most rewarding way to live.

In the book of Luke 6:35, it is written: “But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked."

Don’t let anyone take you down their path of negativity, but instead channel that anxiety of not being accepted by them into making yourself a better person, and do everything you can into treating other better than you have been treated. It may get lonely, choosing not to conform, but the feeling you get cannot be beaten.

You are filled with love and blessings rather than contempt and anger, and no one can put you down when you have God on your side.

Romans 8:31 says, “As long as you know that God is for you, it doesn’t matter who is against you."

Take a moment to realize you have the most stable front-line imaginable. Loneliness is only what you allow it to be. We’re never alone when we have love in our heart, because that love is God’s presence being effervescent in us.

Be joyous and earnest in praying for the hearts of those who persecute you, that they overcome their need to conform to such a hateful world, and find peace in their own being.

Romans 12:2- “Be not conformed to this world: but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that it may prove what is good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God”.