Revenge is sweet,
or so they say. We plot and plan our next encounter and how we will get the
jump on our enemy's rude and spiteful behavior.
We set up a cycle
of events in order to position our self to put our enemies in their place and
to hurt them before they can hurt us. We despise them more with each breath we
take.
Yet, revenge
leaves us feeling empty. As Believers we even regret our display of ungodly
behavior. Our vindictive and vengeful thoughts and actions take a toll on our
spirit, and grieve the Holy Spirit within us (Ephesians 4:30).
It seems
impossible to love our enemies. They taunt us, thwart us and stab us in the
back every chance they get. We are willing to struggle with the concept of not
hating them; but loving them is going a bit too far.
There is good
news. We do not need to feel emotional affection to love our enemies, just a
heart, which is surrendered to Christ.
When we love
Christ more than we love our self, we can love our enemies with His Agape love.
We grow to desire that our enemies will prosper and to experience the love of
God, which we enjoy.
We can minister
to our enemy's physical, emotional, spiritual, financial and mental needs when
God prompts us. He shows us opportunities to share His love with them.
God's Word, which
richly fills our soul, helps us to have meekness in order to walk away from the
temptation to inflict revenge on our enemies (James 1:21).
God walks with us
and in us through the dark night of our soul (Psalm 139:17-18). He rewards our
faithfulness to walk in His truth. He roots us in His love and builds us up in
His presence.
Prayer:
Father God,
remind us that vengeance is Yours and You will repay our enemies for their
treatment of us. Help us to kill our enemies with kindness, pricking their
conscience with our loving behavior toward them (Romans 12:20).
Soften their
heart toward us. Show us the root of their feelings, which cause them to
despise us. Use us to help them to heal from their wounds which cause them to
bully us and others.
Cause their
reasons for attacking us to diminish; and if nothing else, make them just walk
away and leave us alone. In all things, help us to prosper even as our soul
prosper when we follow Your will for our life (3 John 1:2).
Thoughts for the
Day:
God establishes
our faith in His faithfulness; and we abound in our gratitude to Him. -
Colossians 2:6-7
