Beloved let us love

I was at a Bible study recently and one of the students asked a very important question. He asked if we are supposed to love everyone, how does he genuinely pray for someone who has hurt him deeply. He added that what if he wants to pray for the person, but all he can remember is the hurt and his prayers actually become curses because his heart is not healed.

The teacher at the time said that this is what we have been commanded to do. Jesus told us to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us. That is our cross to bear as we share in the suffering of Christ. We do this to show the world that we are unique and set apart.

And I totally agree with him. This is what we have been called to do. Once we claim we are followers of Jesus, we should be distinguished by our ability to love others even when it is not convenient or easy. If it was easy, everyone would have been able to do it.

I added at the meeting that what I do to help me when I’m faced with such a dilemma, is to take a break to reflect on the love of God. I pause with my prayers for such person and remember my own unworthiness. I begin to focus on how Jesus Christ came to die for such a sinner such as me. Of course I didn’t deserve it. And He didn’t have to do it. Yet he did it anyway.

You see, when I begin to look at it this way, I begin to realize how little the hurt all seem. After all, I wasn’t the one who created the person, gave them everything they need and have them betray and disobey me. If I did all these, yet Christ came to die for me and gave me eternal life so I don’t die, why can’t I forgive this person for this thing and pray for them.

"Oh but I can forgive o, but I can't forget what they did". I understand dear. Try this: "whenever there is a flashback of what they did, just breathe out, mention their name (out loud like you are making a declaration) say I've forgiven him/her". Do that three times, and the pain will go away. 

Just try it!

Have an awesome weekend everyone!