Love Your Enemies

“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” – Matthew 5:43-48 (ESV)

One of the most difficult things we’re called to do as Followers of Christ is to place aside our negative feelings and anger against those we feel have wronged us.  Instead of carrying those poison “seeds” around in our spirits, we’re instructed to forgive, and then lift them up in prayer and release that burden into our Heavenly Father’s capable hands.