I am rereading Psalms, again. I love King David and how he talks about his enemies – the people around him that are waiting to harm him. Then King David turns everything around and starts rejoicing that God is good and that is the reason to tell everyone about Him.
There have been several instances in my working career when I’ve felt like my enemies were working right next to me. It is difficult to get past the feelings of hurt and betrayal and to remind myself they are human too and need love. At those moments, I would love to toss out the parts of the Bible where I’m encouraged to love my enemies, bless them, do good to them, and pray for them. However, I have experimented with these comments in the Bible to amazing results.
I determined to pray blessings on the people who I felt have hurt me in some way. I won’t say that it was easy to start, but it becomes easier and easier as time passes. God softens my heart and reduces the effect of the supposed offense in my life. It is amazing.
In a few instances, I have even had moments of real reconciliation with these people. For example: I had a person come to me recently who fell in this category of offenders and ask to get together for a chat. Full of angst, I agreed to the meeting, wondering what would happen. To my utter amazement God brought peace and hope to the relationship. We ended up sitting for several hours talking and laughing. Instead of being awkward, we were both set at ease and it became a time of catching up with an old friend – totally fun!
I feel like King David – God did rescue both of us and I want to tell everyone how great He is! I know that some relationships will never be fully reconciled because it is unsafe or unhealthy for me to engage with them face to face. However, that doesn’t mean that I can’t rejoice in how God changes my perception, granting me peace and joy. This gives me the strength to pray that God will bless them with His love and mercy.
Although my story may sound like it was fixed quickly for me, this was almost three years in the making. In other words, persevere…allowing God to do the work He needs to do in your heart and the other person’s heart. Allow Him to set the pace.
Is there anyone you are feeling hurt or offended by? Experiment with doing what the Bible asks us to do – love them, do good, bless them, and pray for them – and see what happens.
