But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; (Matthew 5:44 )
My mom always says, "You can't claim a virtue that has never been put under fire". Well, I am being given the opportunity to claim a virtue, the virtue of "loving your enemy". I am sure I always thought that I was living this principle. But...I didn't have any enemies (at least that I knew of:)). I didn't have to do good to those that hate me or pray for those that persecuted me. I do now. It makes me sad to think of this person as my "enemy". That is a harsh word. But, they do seem to hate me. They do persecute me. They do seem to have no love in their heart for me. I guess maybe it's more appropriate to say that they see me as their enemy. I have to find a way to not respond when this person says hurtful things about me or to me. I have to find a way to pray for them and I don't mean just to mention their name in my prayers, but to honestly and with true intent pray for them. I have to love them, even though they hate me. I have to forgive them, even if they never change. How do I do that? How do I live this principle? Any of you have practice in this area? Advice? I would appreciate all the help that I can get, cause this is hard!
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3 comments:
Tough...
This is one of those things that (I'm sure) takes a lot of work, diligence and patience. No words of wisdom except to continue being your best self. You only have power over yourself.
Good luck.
um. I don't even know how to respond other than that is so hard. You are such a brilliant and bright person, I know you have the will power to overcome this issue. You are amazing. I can't imagine anyone having those feelings toward you, but we all have our opposites, right? I'm sorry. Keep being you and keep doing what you are doing and you will be blessed.
Love you.
My first inclination when I think someone doesn't like me is to get angry! Weird response, but I always assume they are the idiot! That's not the case I'm sure, but I feel like that probably because I don't experience that mean-spirited dislike too often. Thankfully! I'm sure you don't feel it very often, either. Jessica is right, just be your best self. You only have power over you. And like Tiff said you are amazing and who wouldn't recognize that. Whatever caused this is now in the past and you just have to move forward. If you know God loves you and Ben loves you and you are doing the best you can, just put it behind you, while doing the things you mentioned. LOVE is always the answer but it has to be received as well as given and you can only control the giving part, not the receiving part. Love ya tons!
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