Knowing that someone hates you is one of those experiences that no one enjoys going through.
When we feel or know that someone hates us, we experience mixed feelings, because in some cases we would like to respond like this as well.
Also, perhaps we can wish it to be different or feel guilty.
But what should we do about it?
This time I will not give you an answer myself, but use directly the words expressed by Jesus in the Bible:
“(…) Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.
If someone slaps you on one cheek, turn to them the other also.
If someone takes your coat, do not withhold your shirt from them.
Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back.
Do to others as you would have them do to you.
“If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you?
Even sinners love those who love them.
And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you?
Even sinners do that.
| Luke 6:27-33
Dear reader, love is the answer.
Love is the answer to every circumstance we face in life, whether it’s good or bad.
When someone hates us, the most wonderful thing we can do is to love them, pray for that person.
Be kind to them, bless them, help them.
Loving those who do not deserve it is one of the most fascinating acts of faith that we have the opportunity and privilege to exercise.
Aren’t you convinced by the answer?
How about this?
(…) one brother takes another to court—and this in front of unbelievers!
The very fact that you have lawsuits among you means you have been completely defeated already.
Why not rather be wronged?
Why not rather be cheated?
Instead, you yourselves cheat and do wrong, and you do this to your brothers and sisters.
| 1 Corinthians 6:6-8
Dear friend, God who knows what is best, and whose character is love, teaches us that we must work with humility, long-suffering, and patience with those who hate or hurt us.
I face the same challenge as you when I think about this.
However, it is not by my strength that I can do, neither can you.
It is with the power of God.
Say to the Lord with me today:
Lord help me to be noble at heart, to accept offenses and evil without retaliating.
To love and forgive those who have hurt me and those who will do so in the future.
Give me more of that infinite love of yours capable of loving so much a world so wicked that it mocks you and insults you on a daily basis.
Loving it so much as to strip you of yourself and come and die for us.
Help me Lord so that your love is what drives my actions and my treatment of others.
No longer my convenience, nor my selfishness.
Be it your love and desire to save souls for your kingdom what motivates every action and every reaction of mine.
May my whole being be dominated by the Holy Spirit and may by his power be my heart transformed entirely according to your likeness.
And what do you think? Are you going through a circumstance where someone hates you? What is your experience? Share in the comments.
