How do you use your faith to be more positive about other people?

[hiddenhome]

I'm a Christian, but I just don't really like other people we're meant to show love towards others, but I just find them annoying

I feel the appropriate amount of Catholic guilt about it of course, but I'd really like practical suggestions about how to deal with this annoying character trait

[niminypiminy]

We're asked to love others, not to like them, and love is what you do, principally, not what you feel.

So, for example, there is a really incredibly annoying woman at my church who repeats the same banalities over and over. But she is kind-hearted, and coming to church is a highlight of her week. I try to spend time with her every week, and not let my attention wander, and gently try to divert her onto different topics, and not look at the clock, or over her shoulder for more interesting people to talk to. And over the years I have grown to like her more through the expedient of acting as if I did. (But that doesn't mean my heart doesn't inwardly sink sometimes.)

[hiddenhome]

I tend to just run away

[fieldfare]

I'm not a Christian but I use what beliefs I do hold to try and see the best in people. Yes, sometimes they can be intensely irritating but if you can get beyond that initial reaction they sometimes turn out to be very good natured and kind spirited at heart. It's not my place to judge someone else, and as long as they are not bothering me and mine in a negative way then I think it's important to let them be.

[HardlyEverHoovers]

I find my faith encourages me to look at what I do like rather than what I don't like in people. As for people who you really wouldn't want to spend time with of you own choice, I spend time with them or do things if they need it in order to please God, so I suppose this is an act of worship. But in a similar way to niminys example, these people often turn into true friends who I really value.

I suppose I'm a people person, but don't see why you have to be to be religiously 'good'. There are plenty of ways of helping people without having to interact with them too much

[SilentMammoth]

Ooh, op, I could have written your post! But I'm a Christian with antisocial leanings so sympathise hugely. niminy s post was great, imho.

[hiddenhome]

[Titchyboomboom]

Try and really look at someone...

Imagine them bring born
As a baby
Vulnerable
As a child
A struggling teen
A mother
Father
Sister etc

Look for what kick starts your empathy and run with it