This fall on Wednesday nights at church we've had some different women in our congregation speaking on different topics. One of our minister's wives did a lesson recently on "loving your enemies." My first thought was "Really? Do we need a lesson on that? I have no enemies..."
Well, little did I know it would be so convicting! As she defined who our enemies might be, I started thinking, well there is someone whose face is unknown to me that I might consider an enemy. She defined an enemy as someone who might have hurt us, cause us trouble. The realization came to me that even though the car wreck that killed my brother-in-law and has altered my sister's life forever was an accident, it's hard to forgive the woman. There is anger there. She is my enemy, in a sense.
As the lesson went on, she challenged us to think of ways we can truly LOVE OUR ENEMY. Praying for them was one of the main things we talked about. I realized I had not prayed for this woman one time since it happened. I want her to feel bad, I want her to be punished. But that is not for me to do. Unfortunately she may suffer guilt the rest of her life over this. Her two children that were in the car with her saw the scene. I can't imagine.
So, I'm trying to re-think who my enemies are, and consciously pray for them. It does not come natural. But that's what having Jesus in your heart is all about - he makes us indescribably different from the world.
3 comments:
You're right, it's easy to think we don't have any enemies. These two statements made me rethink too. "Do we allow people who are rude, critical, or don't see eye to eye with us to become our enemy?" and "We feel justified in having bad feelings toward those who aren't kind to us." Like you, if or when these feelings surface, I've been trying to pray for the person. That makes it easier to keep a softer heart, rather than becoming bitter.
It is very hard to do!!! And sometimes it takes a while. Just like you said, Jesus did it and to be like Him we strive to do the same. He was able to forgive the people who crucified Him. Forgiving that woman will take some time, but time will come faster with prayer. I'll pray for her, too....and continue to pray for those whose lives she affected by her choices.
Love those thoughts!
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