"How can we love those who seem to be unlovable?" This question is often asked by those who begin to study and to practice spiritual principles. Yes, divine and unconditional love is a challenge for most of us. It contradicts our mental tendency to love those who love us and to resent those who don't love us. Yet, let us begin to move in the right direction. Step by step, our consciousness will be transformed. As we act on the truth we know, greater truth will be unveiled to us.

Let us not ask whether a particular person is worthy of our love. All people are beloved children of the universe. They are made of love and for love. If they are loved and sustained by God, how can we withhold our love from them? Don't mentally resist unpleasant and even painful conditions in your life, because they are creations of love, too. "We know that all things work together for good to those who love God".

When we are enlightened, we know without a shadow of doubt that all persons, all things and all events are golden links in the chain of our good.

When bad things happen, some individuals wonder: "What have I done to deserve this?" It is good to be convinced that there is the law of cause and effect, and to take full responsibility for our conditions. However, I think that in some cases introspection is counterproductive. People who constantly ask what is wrong with them, may live with a heavy load of guilt. But our difficulties resolved most successfully when we are guilt-free. If during the time of meditation it will be revealed to us that a specific mistake needs to be corrected, let us do it without hesitation. But if causes of our problems are still unclear, let us do the best we know without asking "why" for too long.

The meaning of some events won't be revealed if we look into the past, because they not punishments. They are lessons which were attracted to bless us. They are promises of the future reward. They are coming to us with gifts, and we should give them our gifts as well.

Let us look at another passage from the gospel of Thomas:

"Jesus said, "The messengers and the prophets will come to you and give you what belongs to you. You, in turn, give them what you have".

All people and all things are messengers of God, because they were "sent" into this world with a special and unique purpose. Let's not look for proofs of this - their every existence is the proof. Our interaction with them is never accidental. They are coming to us to give what belongs to us. Let us not reject those treasures!

Prophets are those who are divinely inspired to speak and to act. It is a delusion to think that prophets are rare. God abides in every person and in every thing. There are thousands upon thousands of channels through which God speaks to those who have ears to hear.

Earth's crammed with heaven,
And every common bush afire with God,
But only he who sees takes off his shoes,
The rest sit round it and pluck blackberries.
Elizabeth Browning

So, everywhere we turn we cannot find anything but love, even if it is hidden from our eyes. Every event in our life is a golden link in the chain of our good. All things work together for good. Knowing this, we will display true affirmative attitude.

Let every offence be a call to deeper love, compassion, and understanding;
Let every stumbling be a call to rise up higher than we were before;
Let every uncertain situation be a call to manifest greater courage and trust.

(to be continued)