“But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you.” Matthew 5:44
As much as we’d all like to be in that category of “loved by all”, let’s face it, we aren’t! Whether it’s family, friends or acquaintances, somewhere in that mix will be the special someone or even multiple persons who just don’t agree with your persona. I don’t often feel this myself but when I do, it’s very palpable. So much in fact it’s hard not to want to get as far away from it as possible. Of course, as life would have it, I can’t always do that.
Time for discernment; what is the difference between someone not liking you and an outright enemy? Is there a difference? I try not to find offense that perhaps I am not loved or even liked but it’s a slippery slope when you feel as though malice is at work. Time and again I have had to bite my tongue and take myself to task not to return in full what I am being given. I’ll be honest, it can hurt to lay myself down this much. Still, I am asked to bless in return. And so the growth continues, one day I hope to have the heart I am meant to have.