As a Christian, we get fired up to love like Jesus. There are sweet thoughts of loving and caring for God’s people with unconditional limitations. Let’s be honest, there are just some people that you just don’t like. I am guilty of this. Despite my best intentions, I just can’t get over it. How in the world am I supposed to love someone I just don’t like? It seems the two, liking and loving, should go hand in hand.
Usually, not liking someone stems from a past unresolved hurt. In our humanness we hold on to hurt and allow it to remain a raw wound on our soul. How do we begin the process of healing the hurt and learning to love like Jesus?
First, surrender it to the Lord. Matthew 5:44 says” Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” I know, easier said than done. Sometimes we hold onto it and practice in our head how revenge will be brought forth. We feel vindicated to store our hurts and disappointments in a chest that we can, from time to time, open and revisit like a treasured memory. It isn’t an easy or pretty process and God is OK with messy, be honest, He understands. The more time we spend with Him the better our perspective of people become and the easier it becomes to forgive.
It is a process we can’t do alone. John 15:4 says “ Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.”. We need to cleave to His promises and we will be given the strength and grace necessary to forgive, heal and ultimately love.
It is a process and journey. Varying on the degree of hurt, it can be lengthy. Each journey begins with a single step-one foot in front of the other, stepping out in faith, along you go. a Maybe a few times you trip or wander off course but you keep at it, one step at a time.
Keep this in mind, Jesus didn’t command you to like, He commanded you to love (John 13:34). My brother’s and sister’s, I pray the Lord will help you through your journey of forgiveness and learning to love as Christ commanded. Sometimes hurts are so deep and raw you need to seek a professional. I urge you to seek a Christian therapist, pastor, or a mature trusted friend to help you along. Trust in God’s Divine Providence, and it will be you that is blessed.
~Be Blessed and be a Blessing~
Rebecca
Copyright © 2013 · All Rights Reserved · www.andasprinkleoflove.com
.....and a sprinkle of love 