Choose LOVE over HATE.

 We all have a natural inclination to hate those we see as our enemies. We hate those who hate us. We hate those who hurt us. We hate those who threaten us.

The righteous indignation of anger leads to burning hate.  At the time it feels so justified. We see ourselves as the ones who are right. Everyone else is wrong. Simple as that. Choosing hate is easy.  Loves is absolutely most difficult.

When we’ve been hurt; hate is a natural default reaction for all of us; me included. It feels so good and so right in moments to burn with rage against certain people; even if we claim principles that teach love.

Love isn’t a default reaction. Instead; it is a difficult choice; especially at first. But as you continually choose to walk in love. Your heart changes. Your heart softens and gets bigger. It reminds me of the story of The Grinch. The more he opened his heart to love the bigger his heart grew. Eventually love will seem like the only right choice. Your choice to walk in love will be tested again and again but will become easier. There is never a good justification to hate or to spread your hate to others.

1 John 4:19 We love each other because he loved us first. 20 If someone says, “I love God,” but hates a fellow believer, that person is a liar; for if we don’t
love people we can see, how can we love God, whom we cannot see?

1 John 2:8 Yet I am writing you a new command; its truth is seen in him and in you, because the darkness is passing and the true light is already shining. 9 Anyone who claims to be in the light but hates a brother or sister is still in the darkness. 10 Anyone who loves their brother and sister lives in the light, and there is nothing in them to make them stumble. 11 But anyone who hates a brother or sister is in the darkness and walks around in the darkness. They do not know where they are going, because the darkness has blinded them.

Hate hurts the person who is full of hatred. Even if you don’t call it hate. Even if you dress it up as righteous; it still hurts you more than anyone and it hurts the loved ones closest to you. It warps your ability to think clearly or to feel. You see others as sub humans who don’t quite deserve what you and yours deserves. Hate hardens your heart. Even if you feel softenness toward your own kind; you heart is hardened from rage that makes it hard for you to be reasonable and rational. You see everything through the lens of your rage and hate. You will try and justify things that are unjustifiable. You take on “they deserve what they get” mentality.

Those who follow Jesus cant follow him and be raging with hate towards people. He wasn’t vague about it at the Sermon on the Mount. He said to “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” Hating others not only damages you. It also damages the ones closest to you.

Today;  join me in making a concious effort to walk in love over Hate. Search your heart and let go of the anger and rage before it destroys you and the ones closest to you. If you need to separate yourself from certain people or influences; do it. Whatever triggers rage and hate in you; ITS NOT GOOD FOR YOU. Maybe you will see the world different without those influences in your life

Join me in making the  choice to Love. Love always WINS! Love is what makes life worth living. I choose love over hate, because the Author of the story isn’t finished.

Book Reviews Christian Life Marriage Random single Uncategorized