Except In Your Hometown.

The other day, a married couple told me to stop focusing on the people who don't appreciate me, and think about the ones who do.

I was talking to God the other night and he said it is possible for someone to care about you, but not respect, honor or appreciate who you are.

This is how I knew it was God... because I'm quick to cut people off, shut people off, say forget you (censored). I'm the black and white type.

However, he then brought me to his word; every time something was wrong with a family, friendship, or relationship in the bible, it tells you.

Cain killed Abel because he was jealous (Genesis 4). Joseph's brothers tried to kill him (Genesis 37). Tamar was raped by her brother (2 Samuel 13). This is real dysfunction.

We see something different when it comes to Jesus himself though. He had brothers and sisters (Mark 6:3). His brothers did not believe in him (John 7:5). They didn't despise him, they didn't hate him, they just didn't believe in him, but they cared.

The blood brothers of Jesus himself, the people who he grew up with, obviously loved him but did not yet honor who he was.

With that being said, when it comes to family, friends, people... don't be surprised if they care about you, even love you, but don't appreciate or understand you.

It wasn't until much later that God validated and fully revealed who Jesus was.

Eventually Jesus had brothers who wrote some of the bible, James and Jude, the same ones who called him crazy.

The same ones who didn't appreciate him...

So what do you do? Walk in love. The scriptures say "be angry and sin not" (Ephesians 4:26). God says it's okay to be angry, just don't stay angry or do something reckless.

Why do people treat you this way? It could be one or a combination of reasons why people act the way they do: intimidation, immaturity, jealousy, obliviousness, lack of understanding... or it's just not time yet for you to be revealed.

And to tell yall the truth, God is going to have to help me with loving people, because people are stupid.

Then Jesus told them, “A prophet is honored everywhere except in his own hometown and among his own family.” (Mark 6:4)