Think about a difficult person in your life. I want you to practice giving grace, forgiveness, love, and undeserved favor to that person. Often, how we see a problem is the problem. That's true in relationships. Begin by praying, "Jesus, show me how you see that person." I've done this many times, and I'm often surprised by how Jesus sees people.
Jesus sees who we could become. He sees the potential in us. Then lovingly, He draws that potential from us. Finally, give that person grace. Love them in their brokenness and sin. Love them more when they deserve it the least. Watch God's love flow through you and draw the potential for good out of that person.
Now, I know some of you are thinking, "I don't feel love right now." Gary Chapman said something very profound in his book The Five Love Languages. This is a paraphrase: "Love is a decision followed by an action, followed by a feeling. Decide, act, and the feeling will follow." That's absolutely true.
Look for the good in people. In Matthew 7:1,
Jesus said, "Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you."
God warns us to stop judging people. Only God's grace empowers that kind of love.
Grace isn't just undeserved favor. Grace is the ability to live the life God calls us to live. Grace is power.