A Different Response

How many of us really know how to love our enemies?  That is just what we are supposed to do!  As children of God we are to show the world a different way to live.  It is easy to love those who love us.  Why not try loving our enemies or those who appear to be our enemies? 

A few years ago I was tested in this area. Sometimes I passed the test. Sometimes I failed miserably. But I did learn something. When I was kind to a person who clearly was rude to me – they were surprised. Sometimes they did not know how to respond to my kindness. Each time I was kind in response to negativity – the other person’s negative behavior visibly shrank. They seemed to respond with fear or shame.

The next time someone is rude to you or says something to hurt your feelings, show compassion towards them.  They will be surprised to know you did not respond as they would have.  The world would benefit tremendously if each one of us would show compassion and concern for others – even when that person has said or done something to cause us pain. 

Jesus taught his disciples to love one another and to love their enemies.  It takes a special person to even try to love their enemies.  In daily life, we meet many different kinds of people.  Whenever you meet a person that is hard to deal with or hard to tolerate – show love and compassion.  Love never fails!

                            … in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. Romans 8:37