“But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked.” Luke 6:35

We all have some kind of enemy in our lives. Whether it’s the girl or guy that stole your high school sweetheart away from you, to the boss that you let you for a younger employee with less experience in the business. Sometimes it is even a neighbor whose lawn looks better than yours! An enemy doesn’t mean that you want to start a war with them. They are the people you feel resentment or even envy towards.

It’s hard not hating people sometimes. We feel entitled to a certain degree of respect, and other just don’t get that. Especially in school or the workplace. There is probably going to always be that person who scratches at your nerves constantly; but you cannot hate them. God tells us to love our enemies.

He loves every being, no matter the size of their wrongdoings. He doesn’t like it when someone antagonizes you! But He also doesn’t like it when his children hate each other either. The golden rule of loving your neighbor as yourself comes into play here..

“The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.” -Mark 12:31

We need to realize that hate is the BAD type of four letter word. It is the antagonist while love is the protagonist. Make love your hero! Without love we wouldn’t have even been born. It doesn’t mean you have to hug that person and be overly friendly. Just rid yourself of resentment. And don’t forget to pray! Tell God your troubles and ask that peace be settled over your heart.

“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails…” -1 Corinthians 13:4-8

Most people think love is complicated and cannot be defined; but God lays it out for us His Word. Of course there are different types of love, such as the love you have for a friend, family member, and partner. But the general meaning of it is right there. It NEVER fails, but always perseveres. As being a part of the body of Christ we should strive to do as our Father asks and does Himself. It won’t be easy, but being a Christian isn’t easy. There are always antagonists who are going to try to put us down; but it is our duty to push past the evil against us and fight for our Lord – with love.

We cannot possibly count all of the moments when we’ve felt alone in this world. Our hearts have ached while our tears seemed to bounce off of empty walls. There was a pit in our stomachs, and sometimes we couldn’t really figure out why. To be frank, it really sucks feeling that way. Yet we all do, and more than once in our lifetimes.

Sometimes we get comfort knowing that others have gone through the same situations as us, while other times we think that no one has experienced the turmoil we are going through. It is true that all situations are different because every individual is different; but it doesn’t mean your situation is understood or sympathized with.

God is our best supporter when we’re struggling. Just because He’s is in heaven it doesn’t mean He isn’t here too. He is omnipotent and omniscient which means He is with us always, no matter where we are, and He knows what we’re going through. When everyone else’s door is closed to you, His will be open. He is always open to us; though sometimes we feel He is far away, He really isn’t.

Just because we can’t see Him doesn’t mean He isn’t there. When you go to bed tonight do you believe you’ll wake up in the morning? Why? You can’t see tomorrow, so why do you believe it is there? It’s just something to consider when you’re having doubts. God is always available; He never changes His mind that.

In our toughest times we are held up by God. The fact that we are alive when we feel beaten down is a blessing. He is our hope, even though sometimes we don’t see it that way. We are given grace and mercy under His love, and He makes sure to let us know throughout His Word.

The next time you feel discouraged turn your head to the Father. He is with you always, and is waiting for you call on His aid. He loves us more than any human ever could, including our earthly parents. Just imagining a love like that is still beyond our complete comprehension, but it is there and it is strong. We are safe and well in God’s arm; just don’t let others tell you otherwise and keep your head towards the hope, love, peace, and beauty of heaven.