"Love your enemies..." (Matthew 5:44)

#LightTheWorld #day8
This is one of my absolute favorite formula's for bullying. It's also referred to as  "The Golden Rule" because it is the perfect way to promote positive change in all of us. "Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you" (Matthew 5:44; 3 Nephi 12:44). In a day and age were I feel we have come to "bully the bully", so to speak, I am so grateful for the truths that the Savior has taught. This is so straight forward, easy to teach, and is a powerful way to help others change, and be changed ourselves as we live it.

There is one man, Izzy Kalman, who teaches how to live and apply "The Golden Rule" as the solution to  bullying. His program is called: Bullies to Buddies. I invite you to read and learn about this method of bullying intervention. I know this method works. I have tried to teach it to our children, use it myself, and encourage others to use it too. The reason I have done so is because it is Christ's way of dealing with the challenge of bullying.

I know that Christ is the Master Teacher. He wants us to be filled with love, and be able to serve everyone, not just those we already love. It's not just a suggestion to "love your enemies", but it is a commandment. Another way to say this truth is to "Love thy neighbor" (Mark 12:31, 33).

In our trials and challenges to love our enemies, do good to those who hate us, and pray for those who use us, God will give us the grace and power to be filled with this love which leads to changing bullies into buddies. This I testify.

"Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do." (Luke 23:34)

Day 8 (Dec. 8th) #LIGHTtheWORLD
"Jesus prayed for others and so can you"

Two thoughts on praying for others:

Christ said, "Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you; and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you" (Matt. 5:44; see also 3 Nephi 12:44). Praying for those who "despitefully" use me, this means I will pray for those who hate me or want to harm me. Perhaps when I am offended, or easily hurt, this might be a good place for me to begin practicing this very thing.

Christ, of course, set the perfect example while on the cross. "Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots" (Luke 23:34). Jesus Christ prayed for the soldiers who put Him on the cross, crucified Him, and then gambled about who would get His garments. When Christ prays for them, He asks that they be forgiven, because they don't know what they are doing. Perhaps this is the same when others offend me or hurt me. They don't really know that I am hurt or offended. As I have tried to see the person and their heart, I usually find that they have no desire to harm or hurt me. I have found it so much easier to forgive others when I step back and look at the intent of the person's heart. I must say, God always helps me forgive them when I ask that they be forgiven.

The Crucifixion of Christ, artist unknown
In this particular painting you can see the soldiers wagering for the garments of Christ

The Crucifixion, by Harry Anderson
In this particular painting you see a Soldier in the front, seeming to ponder, or perhaps tired from the work of  crucifying others.

"But behold I say unto you, love your enemies..." (3 Nephi 12:44; see also Matt. 5:44)

Day #15

I am thankful for this scripture and the challenge it gives me every day to do what is not always easy. It is so important to learn how to do this. Christ taught it to the people in Israel and the ancient people of America.

"But behold I say unto you, love your enemies, 

bless them that curse you, 

do good to them that hate you,

and pray for them who despitefully use you and persecute you." 

(3 Nephi 12:44; see also Matt. 5:44)

There was a year in my life that pretty much I prayed for a woman who I truly thought was my enemy. I felt as if she had declared war on me and was determined to destroy me in the process. It was one of the hardest years of my life. As I look back on it, I am grateful for the chance I had to pray every night, in our family prayer, to help me forgive her, that I might love her.

I have come to learn for myself that loving my enemy doesn't mean I give them permission to treat me badly or that I become accepting of their every act. Rather, loving my enemy is more about my heart. It is about being able to forgive when it seems impossible. It is about letting go of hurt that seems will never heal. And putting my trust in a Master Healer, a perfectly just, and merciful God.

I am grateful for a loving and patient God who knows what we suffer privately and the remedy to heal our hearts. And sometimes the way to heal is to "do good to them that hate you". This I testify.