Love Your Enemies

Generally speaking, cats hate dogs. But my cat, Hunter, is different. She loves my dog, Barlow, and Barlow loves her. It's definitely not normal. In fact, it's really strange.

When I first nervously introduced Hunter to Barlow, they were both immediately attracted to each other. Now they are inseparable. Even when I let Barlow out to go to the bathroom, Hunter follows right behind, and when I call Barlow back in, the cat comes too. Dogs are supposed to be a cat's worse nightmare, but Hunter thinks otherwise.

God has asked us to be "not normal" too. He tells us in His Word that we are to love our enemies and do good to those who hate us.

"Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you."

Luke 6:27

If you discover that someone is saying negative things about you behind your back, say only positive things about that person to others. Soon people will no longer pay attention to what the other person is saying about you.

If someone is losing their temper and yelling at you, talk calmly back and genuinely say, "I'm sorry." Even though you may have done nothing wrong, you can still be sorry that they are so upset. Those two words spoken in honesty can abruptly stop in their tracks a person who is going full steam ahead in anger.

If someone has hurt you deeply, forgive them, because unforgiveness only leads to continued pain and destruction.

If someone is bullying you, do something kind for that person. If you don't know what act of kindness you can do, ask God to orchestrate a situation where you can offer your help. Sometimes an enemy can be turned into a friend.

If you find yourself making prejudice comments about a different ethnic group, learn more about the people and ask God for compassion.

Let's not be normal. Let's be different! Love your enemies. You will be richly rewarded when you do.