Hurt Feelings – by Lynn Gipson

“But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you”--Matthew 5:44 (KJV)

This is a tall order when someone hurts your feelings. Sometimes your first instinct is to hurt them back, and before you know it the words of retaliation are out of your mouth. However, I have found that when this happens, I am filled with remorse and apologize at once.

Why should I feel this way? Why should I be the one to apologize when they drew first blood? Some say this is a sign of weakness, but I know it is a sign of strength. Because Jesus tells me it is. Jesus says we should love our enemies. Why? I have asked myself this question time and time again. It is because I have the spirit of God in me, and while God hates sin, He loves the sinner, and so must I.

I must love the sinner in the same way God loves me. When I sin, I hurt God's feelings, but when I pray for forgiveness for my own sins, He shows me grace. I must show others the same grace God shows me. It took me awhile to understand this. I know vengeance belongs to God, it is not for me to show mine. Only God truly knows why others feel they must hurt others. This reasoning is beyond my comprehension, because I am only human.

So I will love my enemies and bless those that curse me, and I will pray for their souls. In doing this I am obeying God, and that is what I strive for. Obedience to God. Hallelujah

Lynn is a freelance Christian writer active with FaithWriters. Contact