Luke 6:27-28 “But I say to you who hear, love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you”
“I can’t believe she did that! No one with ANY sense of decency would have done what she did!! I’ve never known anyone to be so insensitive. That was SO mean and hurtful…”
I cried as my husband John sat silently by, letting me vent. The pain ran deep from this latest wound. Off and on all afternoon, I would return to vent and nurse my wounds.
I vented to anyone who would listen. When I recounted the story to my sister-in-law, she said “When I’m in a situation like that, I get my Bible, read scripture, and pray about it.” I stared at her for about two seconds then continued my tirade. But she was right; I should have taken my hurt to the God of All Comfort.
By the next morning, a Sunday, I was still weepy with the hurt and pain, but knew I had to take this latest wound to God, and let Him handle things. I opened my Bible to Psalm 31:7-8 and these comforting words greeted me:
“I will rejoice and be glad in Your lovingkindness, Because You have seen my affliction (italics mine); You have known the troubles of my soul, And You have not given me over into the hand of the enemy; You have set my feet in a large place.”
I wept that I hadn’t first trusted God with this heartache. His Word told me that He KNEW the troubles of my soul. How comforting I found that scripture!
When we got to church for the morning services, I was almost knocked off my feet by the title of the day’s sermon: Loving Your Enemies. Oh, my, what else did the Lord have in store for me? I definitely considered the woman who had been so mean, to be an enemy of mine.
My pastor began the sermon with words to this effect: Have you ever wanted to take a gun and shoot someone?
GULP! Uh, yes, as a matter of fact, I thought about that yesterday….
The sermon discussed Luke 6:27-28, the Biblical principle of loving your enemy.
…Love your enemies (Could I love this woman?)
…Do good to those who hate you (NO WAY I could do good to her)
…Bless those who curse you (Um, nope, not this either)
…Pray for those who mistreat you (Ok, maybe this)
I was afraid that in loving this person, we would have to become friends. I’d have to invite her to dinner, go shopping with her, blah, blah, blah. But my pastor explained that while God calls us to love all people, we are not called to be friends with them all. For friendship, there has to be a level of trust. A wise man, my pastor!
So I committed to pray for this woman who had wounded me time and time again.
Those of you who know me, know that I am a task oriented person. I have my prayer journal organized in such a way that I won’t forget to pray for someone. Daily, I pray for my husband and grandkids. Mondays are for family, Tuesdays – church family, Wednesdays – friends….you get it, right?
My dilemma was that I didn’t have a “spot” for this woman. I couldn’t and wouldn’t put her on my Family or my Friends prayer page! What to do? Finally, I adjusted my Wednesday page like so: Friends/OTHER. She was definitely an Other.
When Wednesday rolled around, I saw first hand God’s sense of humor. I had been reading through the One Year Bible. That day the reading was from the “love” chapter of 1 Corinthians (1 Cor. 13:1-13). Come on, you know it, say it with me: Love is patient, love is kind and is not jealous…love is not provoked, DOES NOT TAKE INTO ACCOUNT A WRONG SUFFERED.
Ouch. OUCH! I not only took the wrongs into account, I kept track of them religiously!
I persevered in praying for my enemy for a little over a year and a half. Did my prayers change her? No, not that I could see.
So what changed?
Me.
My heart.
I began to see her as God saw her – His child, whom He dearly loves. Jesus died on the cross for her as well as for me. I know I’m a long way from loving her in a Christ-like manner. But Jesus washed the feet of Judas, His betrayer (John 13:1-11). In light of that, and with His strength, I should be able to pray for my enemy.
Heavenly Father, I confess I don’t always see people the way You do. Forgive my limited sight. Lord, give me a heart of love like Yours. God, soften my heart of stone, and mold me into the woman You would have me become. In Jesus name, Amen
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Beautiful!
Well you’ve done it again my lil Elle Belle!! Keep them coming my friend. You are touching lives and hearts. God bless you! Love, Co
Thank you sweet Co! Luv UUU!
Beth – John’s is the Flash! Photography that add the Splash of Flash to my Ordinary!!
Hi Ellen. I’m just now seeing this. I got your link from Compel. I’m challenged by the fact that you prayed for a year and a half for your “non-friend.” You’re a great example to me.
Hi Betsy! Thanks for stopping by! I recognize your name & face from Compel. How are you liking it? I am learning so much!
Yes, that season of prayer was a challenge for me also. But everything works for the good – prior to that, I was hit or miss with my morning quiet time. After I committed to pray, the Lord was faithful to waken me each morning to spend time with Him! It became more about Him and what He was teaching me, that praying for my enemy. (PS – still having to pray occasionally for that person…)
Are you planning to go to She Speaks?
It’s amazing how God always brings us to the exact words we need to hear/ read when we need them! Through his strength and love, we can do those things we never think we are capable of doing. Thanks for sharing this! I really enjoyed it.
Thank you Abby! Yes, I am constantly amazed by Him! And am finding that indeed, His mercies are new each day! And humbled that He could use HIS stories in MY ordinary life to make a difference in someone else!
wonderful, timely, encouraging message for this heart of mine!
Thank you so much! Thanks for stopping by! LOVE, LOVE the name of your blog!
This is such a beautiful portrayal of what it means to love our enemies. I have done this (not often enough) and it is so true, I cannot hate someone that I am praying for. My heart changes even if there’s does not. I need this reminder, though. Thank you for real words from a real heart for Christ…you are speaking truth and THAT changes hearts. Thank you SO much for your encouragement and for linking up today. xoxo, Meredith
Enjoyed linking up with you! Love your posts! Can’t wait to meet you in July!
Oh Ellen I am dealing with someone in my work place that is sometimes spiteful and will ignore me for days. I so needed to read this today. Thank you….its so hard to love like Jesus when the other party does nothing to deserve that love…but BAM…neither do I. Thank you for reminding me to make “her” a matter of prayer daily and not just when she is being ugly!
Ah, Melanie, It was one of the hardest things I’ve done. But oh, the benefits and blessings! I wasn’t consistent with my prayer time/quiet time until I committed to pray for her. Now, it is a wonderful habit to get up oh, so early and spend time with the Lord! That’s probably why He wanted me to pray for her :-)! Thanks for stopping by!
Beautiful. Truthful. We ALL can learn from your example of love and faith.
Thank you Christy! Thanks so much for stopping by!!