Do you know people who always seem to be in a negative or bad mood? They always seem to be mad about something-they're ticked about life and everything they have faced. In short, they're bitter. Have you ever had one of these "life-bitter" people try to tell you about the joy of following Jesus? Did it seem a little strange for them to be telling you about joy when it appeared as if they didn't have any.

When you read today's passage, you realize the importance of joy and love in a Christian's life. God says that you can be picked out of a crowd by your ability to love those around you. How scary is that? And what an awesome-and difficult-responsibility! Some people are not easy to love. They've been hurt before and fear getting hurt again, so they don't want to open up to us or trust us, but we are commanded to love even them-especially them as they are in desperate need of God's love.

As you go through your days and you encounter those who are hard to love-those who are "life-bitter"-remember that Jesus died for them. He loves them and He wants you to love them for Him.