How to Not Let Them Get the Best of You

Love your enemies. Let them bring out the best in you, not the worst. Luke 6:27 {The Message}

Cut open and bleeding hurt can bring out the monster in us. After all, hurt people hurt people. We are never at a greater risk of hurting others than when our souls ache. Sin gives birth to sin. Hurt only breeds more hurt. We want to lash out. We want to take our burden of pain and lay it in the lap of another....preferably the one that caused ours.

And yet, God knew there was only one way to rid ourselves of the ache. We need to put down our weapons. And turn on our enemies. You turn them over to the justice God gives. You turn the other cheek. Return love for hatred. Give them our best in turn for the worst they gave us. It is the only way for them not to get the best of us, but rather to bring out the best in us.

But how do you do this? You do the impossible. You love the one that hurt you, your enemy. Here are some ways to do the thing you think you can't...

Pray for them. One of the hardest things to do is to pray on behalf of someone that hurt you. Yet, it is the very thing that will create heartstrings for that person. When you have heartstrings there is no hatred. Praying for the helps your heart change and forgive.

Assume the best of them. Regardless of what behavior you see coming out of them, assume the best. Even if it isn't their best behavior you can think of it in a more positive light. For example, if they are lashing out again in their behavior to you try to realize that they may be doing it because they are suffering {actually, that is almost always the case.}

Bless them. Remember when your momma used to say, "If you don't have anything good to say then don't say it at all."? This applies with your enemies. Bless them by speaking well of them when you can. I am not saying you need to lie about them, but actively look for the positive in them and proclaim it when the opportunity arises.

Do them some good. How can you treat them with kindness? Can you help them in some way? When they cross your path can you offer a hello or a smile? Take a step {no matter how small} to show them kindness when you can. Once again, this will allow forgiveness to flow. Sure at the beginning it will be hard, but the more you show kindness the easier it will get.

To read more on how to forgive, see this.