Loving When It’s Hard

Takeaway: Loving our enemies is tough, but it’s a powerful choice we can make.

Context

This teaching comes from Jesus during the Sermon on the Plain. He’s speaking to a crowd that includes both followers and skeptics. The message is radical and challenges the norms of society.

Meaning

When Jesus tells us to love our enemies, He’s flipping the script on how we often approach conflict. It’s easy to love those who love us back. But loving our enemies? That’s a different story. This isn’t just about feelings. It’s about actions. Doing good for those who don’t treat us well is a way of breaking the cycle of hate.

Think about it. When we show kindness to someone who has wronged us, we reflect God’s love. It’s like saying, "I won’t let negativity control me." This love isn’t weak. It takes courage and strength. It’s a choice we make even when it feels impossible. By choosing to love, we open up the possibility for change in both ourselves and others.

Live It

• Reach out to someone you’ve had a disagreement with. Send them a kind message.
• When you feel anger rising this week, pause. Take a deep breath and choose to respond with kindness.
• Volunteer for a cause that helps those in need. Give your time to show love in action.

Reflect & Pray

Reflect: Who do I struggle to love? What small step can I take to show them kindness?
Pray: God, help me to love those who are hard to love. Give me the strength to act kindly even when I don’t feel like it. I trust You to guide me in this.