Pain hurts.
When someone harms you or says something means it hurts.
We could think that it’s ok to retaliate, but Jesus calls for us to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us.
“But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.” -Luke 6:27-28
It’s not easy. How can you love your enemy?… By God’s strength!
It’s not natural to love your enemies or do good to those who hurt you. But with God’s strength you can love your enemies and do good to those who hurt you.
For example, I’ve seen video that took place in a courtroom. The man was found guilty of raping and killing a girl. The parents of the victim stand and start saying they forgive the man for what he has done.
Wow! Again, that’s not natural to be able to forgive someone like that. That’s the power of God working through them to be able to forgive someone who did a horrible act to their loved one.
And, how about when Jesus says to pray for those who persecute you. It takes God’s strength to be able to do that.
I’ve found that praying for people who wrong you is not only good for them (because God hears our prayers), but it’s also good for our own soul. It gets rid of all the anger and bitterness in your heart towards that person.
The next time someone mistreats you be kind to them. Pray for them. Do good to them.
“But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” -Matthew 5:44
Keep spreading the Word!