5:43 You have heard that it was said, You shall love your neighbor, and hate your enemy: 5:44 but I say to you, love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you;
Here is an uplifting and Biblical challenge. Pray for someone who has wronged you. Sincerely ask God to bless that person and meet his or her needs.
A few years ago I received a letter from a person I hardly knew, attacking me because I didn't make a business commitment to one of her family members. Along with the letter she had returned two copies of my book, Mindrobics, that she had purchased.
The letter blasted me and the more I read of it the madder I got. When I finished reading it I tore it up, threw it in the trash, and walked around my house -- fuming.
Suddenly the thought came into my mind; "Pray for her and ask Me to bless her." My first reaction was; "No way!" but the thought continued to strongly urge me to pray blessings on her. After a few more minutes of anger and resisting that thought, I finally gave in and said something like this (even though I didn't want to do it and I didn't feel it, I said it); "Lord, I ask you to bless (name withheld). Meet all of her needs. Bless her and all of her family members with good health. Prosper her finances and meet all her needs. Help her to get over her anger at me and to enjoy every day of her life. In Jesus' name. Amen."
When I said "Amen" I felt so much better. The anger was gone and I was now feeling sympathy for the person.
Then another thought came to my mind; "Now go to bed (it was about 11:00 pm) and ask Me to bless every person who has ever done you wrong." "How can I do that?" I asked. "As you ask me to bless one person, I will bring another to your mind." the thought replied.
So, very reluctantly, I did. I asked God to bless Kim, a class mate who had slammed my head into a brick wall at South Elementary School in Jonesboro, AR when I was in the fifth grade (who I hadn't thought of in more than 40 years). Then I remembered the fire alarm salesman who had talked me into spending $3,000 on something I never used, and I asked God's blessings on his life.
On and on it went -- a name would drop into my mind and I would ask God to bless that person. I was shocked at the number of people who came to my mind. I had forgotten that so many people had "wronged" me. Finally I prayed for someone and no more people came to mind. The I fell asleep.
That was about four years ago. Every since then, the moment I feel somebody does me wrong, I stop and ask God to bless him or her (even though I usually don't want to do it). And it is amazing how good it feels to "bless your enemies". It brings peace, releases me from anger, and prevents bitterness.
I taught technique to men rehab where I was the chaplain until recently,and it worked for them as well. Try it yourself and see. Right now, ask God to bless someone who has done you wrong. It doesn't matter whether you feel it or not -- just do it.
Then, if you like, leave a comment about any outcome from your blessing your enemy. Thanks for exercising the courage to try my challenge today.  |
|
