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NASB | Matthew 5:44 "But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Matthew 5:44 "But I say to you, love [that is, unselfishly seek the best or higher good for] your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, [Prov 25:21, 22] |
Bible Question: How can I overcome anger when someone has made efforts to hurt me and my family, and I must see this person every day, and the person has never apologozed. I keep pouring my resentment out as an offering to the Lord, but somehow I become upset again just by seeing the person. |
Bible Answer: I have gone through the same thing and it is not an easy situation to be in. I still have trouble with it and have to pray about it after many years. Jesus told us to pray for our enemies. The one who can pray for their enemies can do anything for them. When you pray for them it is not only a gift of love given to them but it will allow us to see them through God's eyes. This helps us to love them and forgive them. Also, by praying for our enemies we can overcome evil with good. It is important to note that we can only do this by fully giving ourselves to Christ. By calling us not to retaliate, Jesus keeps us from taking the law into our own hands. When we pray for our enemies and treat them good then we are letting the Christ in us shine. This will be seen by others, including the person who has wronged us, and could lead them or bring them closer to Christ. It is our natural selfishness that makes us want to get even or see that person suffer because we suffered. I learned something a number of years ago that will help you now as well as many times in the future to come. What I use is a "God bag". Take a small bag and place it on the refrigerator (either physically or in your mind) and label it "God bag". When ever you have a problem, as in this instance forgiving someone, write it down on a scrap of paper and place it in your "God bag". Whatever is in that bag is His. He will take care of it and deal with it from now on. You may NOT have it back. Whenever you feel anger for this person remind your self that you can't be angry because you have already give the anger to God. Who would want to take back something that they had already given to God? It may take a while to get over the anger but I guarentee you this will work over time. prayon |