In a few days, I have to go to an event, and there’s a girl that’s going to be there that I don’t like. Yes, I am a Christian and I dislike someone. The process of forgiving her has been a long one. I even contacted her (through Facebook) and let her know that I wasn’t upset with her anymore. Of course, she understood. But there is a difference from being cyber-cordial and actually having to occupy space with someone that has did you wrong. How am I supposed to act? And I know people will be watching me, waiting for me to react to her, knowing that I don’t like her. I have every right not dislike her, and everyone agrees.
Sometimes there are people in your life that you have a legitimate, valid audit against. You have every right and reason to be mean to this person and anyone with any sense would tell you to stay far away from them. Haters are not new. But what if God puts us in a position to have to bless our haters? Would you do it?
God wanted Jonah to bless his haters, which were the people of Nineveh. God told Jonah to go the the city and speak about Him because the people were awful, violent and terrible. Way less terrible than the girl I don’t like. Instead of going, outright, Jonah tried to flee and ended us in the belly of a fish for three days. After repenting and being vomited up by the fish, he listened to God and went to Nineveh. He told the people his story and told them to turn to God, and they did. Just like that. That made Jonah upset because he didn’t like the people. He though that God should have destroyed them because they were horrible sinners. God explained to Jonah that he had compassion for His people, even in their disobedience and ignorance, and Jonah should have the same.
Do we have compassion for disobedient and ignorant people? God tells Jonah, yes!
Jonah 4:11 says:
And should I not pity Nineveh, that great city, in which are more than one hundred and twenty thousand persons who cannot discern between their right hand and their left—and much livestock?”
Of course, people lack discernment! It’s like the old saying: If people knew better, they would do better.” Maybe God put you in certain people’s lives to show them the right way to behave. Are you up for the challenge? As Christians, we set the example to the world (and even other Christians) to act towards people as God acts toward us. So continuing to be a jerk and actively dislike this girl is doing nothing to help her become a better person.
If God asked you to do something to bless your haters, would you do it? Would you flee from the responsibility like Jonah did? I have surely done that in the past. I surely don’t want God to have to go through drastic measures, like He had to do with Jonah, to get my attention.
So going to this event, I am going to have to remember to be compassionate, forgiving and calm. God has definitely showed me compassion and saved me from a whole host of things, so now I have to set the example of how to act. I am going to set the example of true forgiveness and show everybody there that yes, you can be nice to people that have done you wrong. Jesus didn’t say be nice be kind to everyone, except that girl you don’t like! He said be kind and generous to those who hate you. So I’m going to try to do that this weekend.
Matthew 5:44 says:
But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you.
