Pages: 1
How can you learn to love someone you hate?
(Click here to view the original thread with full colors/images)
Posted by: Sulten
I get a little devotional in my e-mail each day. I got this one today and really liked it and wanted to share.
How can I love someone I hate? This is too important for us to overlook. Hatred ignored is hatred strengthened. Spiritual lives are at stake here...for those who look to us to be examples of Christ and for us as well. Many sincerely struggle with the inner conflict hatred and love create, causing much confusion, agony, and doubt. They understand intimately what the Apostle Paul meant when he said, For what I do is not the good I want to do; no, the evil I do not want to do - this I keep on doing. (Romans 7:19) Ah, but there is a solution, an answer to this question.
I once drove to the Florida coast for some much needed rest. Getting to my peaceful destination required crossing a bridge that spanned a broad river, but on arriving I saw that the bridge had been destroyed by the swift moving current. At first I was at a loss of what to do, but then realized that a way had been provided across the turbulent water...an old river ferry brought down just for this purpose. The boat was worn and appeared to have been used often over the years, but it was clearly steady enough.
I looked at the choppy water before me and thought over my choices. I could turn around and never reach my peaceful destination. I could travel many miles upriver in the hope of finding my own way across. I could just sit there and do nothing except become more upset over my situation and how unfair it all was. Or I could trust in the boat and its captain, giving all control over to him to get me to the other side.
I chose the ferry, of course. Never before having been on such a thing seemed exciting. It was also very rewarding. Turned out the captain knew exactly what he was doing and very ably, with none of my assistance (or interference), brought me to a place where I did in fact find the peace I was seeking. And therein lies the answer to, How can I love someone I hate?
Hatred, like that river, runs deep. It destroys relationships that bridge God's people, causing distance and separation. It prevents us from reaching that place where we share in His peace. And it always...did you get that?... always puts us in a place where we can do very little. But there is a way across those turbulent waters. There is a way to love someone we hate, and it is this. Let God take control of your journey by allowing Him to change your heart so that He can carry you across your hatred.
Like getting on that ferry, dealing with hatred involves making a choice. Sometimes the choice can be a difficult one, especially when we believe we are justified and cling to our hatred with great fervor. But the problem is in our focus. Our eyes stare at the object of our hatred, and we fail to look to Christ.
The journey across hatred may not be easy. The waters may still be rough and difficult. But we can make it if we allow God to change our hearts and bring us to a place of peace. It all comes down to a choice. We can give up control to God and follow Him, or we can steer our own course and never find our way. It's really a different question that requires an answer. Is it Him or ourselves that we love?
Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:2
Posted by: MarkSentMe
Very nice. It is something to think about and pray about. It seems that hatred, arrogance and pride run together. If any of these is present, then they are all strengthened.
We may be justified in feeling hatred toward a person, but at what cost? If we continue our self-validating stance that "I am right, he did me wrong so therefore I'm going to feel this way.." what purpose does it serve? Does it bring edification to Christ? Will it win even one person over to Jesus? We have to look at people as Jesus sees them. This is very hard. But God loves us, even with our flaws, our short-comings, our imperfections. He forgives our sin and we should do likewise.
Hatred just breeds more hatred. It becomes easier. The more we hate, the more of God's love is eroded and we can hate with less conviction and less conscience. We all know someone who is just an angry bitter person. It clouds everything. Even the blessings of God come with a huge "But". We need to be the example others learn from. We need to spread joy, even when we are working through the most difficult times. We need to overlook the smudges and chips in someone else's armor and be uplifting.
I need to heed my own advice!!
AMEN!!
