Have you ever looked at someone and instantly disliked them? Have ever had someone betray you? Have you ever looked at the leadership and authority in the government and your blood starts to boil? Have you ever had someone treat you like garbage, undermine you, or say hurtful things?
No matter who you are, we all seem to have enemies of some kind. There are billions of scenarios where we find that we have an enemy of some sort.
People anger us, get on our nerves, betray us, say hurtful things and do things they shouldn’t do.
I remember a specific instance where I had a close friend hurt me deeply. She had a huge blowout where she took all my clothes and jewelry, threw them out the window into a pile of snow.
I was livid. It felt so random and uncalled for. I could barely look at her without wanting to smack her for being so immature.
The anger was beginning to take over my life, especially because I had to see her and sing with her on a weekly basis.
Then God stepped in and gave me a stern talking to.
Sierra, your battle is not against her. She has many things that she’s going through that you have no idea about. She is still learning how to react when she’s triggered. It doesn’t matter that it wasn’t your fault. It’s your job to pray for her, not to hate her. This isn’t about her. You are battling against the enemy and you need to learn this now before it takes over your life.
For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places. Ephesians 6:12
But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you Matthew 5:44
Wow, okay God.
So what did I do? Every time I saw her and I felt myself rise in anger, I would walk into another room and start praying for her.
It took about a month, but I then started to love her. I started to see the good in her. I started to understand that she wasn’t my enemy, she was just someone who needed to be understood.
I understand that this is easier said than done. It’s an effort that you have to make.
Once it becomes a lifestyle (to pray for every single person that you hate, dislike or that angers you), you will find so much freedom and you will notice a change in yourself. And you may even notice a change in them.
When a political leader makes a decision that you hardcore disagree with, and it makes you want to storm their office with a baseball bat, you pray for them. Pray for wisdom, for them to have a God-moment, that their heart and decisions would line up with the Word, that they would be blessed. No matter how much you hate them.
Every time your spouse says something hurtful and storms out of the room, you immediately start praying for them. It calms you down and puts your heart in the right place to resolve the conflict.
It is not so much about them as it is about you. When you pray for your enemies, it does something to your heart. It softens you, it allows God to move in your life and speak to you, and it allows you to be free. It makes you better.
Because when you pray for the people you dislike the most, it shows maturity. You are fighting a spiritual battle and kicking the real enemy’s butt. It shows that you aren’t allowing hatred to take over your life, and that gives God the freedom to bless you and to trust you. Especially because it’s our job to love others no matter the circumstance.
You will find that you become more understanding of others. That you aren’t blowing up over little things. That your heart is in the right place. That you see people like God sees them.
You are the one who wins the battle.
Response Questions
1. Who are your enemies right now? (government leaders, family member, friend, coworker)
2. Who can you start praying for today?
Pray with me!
Father God, forgive me for allowing any anger or hatred infect my heart. I know that my battle isn’t against people, but against a spiritual enemy. Keep reminding me of that when I start to feel that hatred bubbling up. Help me to pray for my enemies, to bless them, to love them. I pray that you would purify my heart as I make the effort to pray for them. I surrender all my enemies to you and I pray that you would transform me and my mindset about them.
In Jesus’ name, amen.
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