Jesus says the most important commandments are to love Him and love people.  His love is sacrificial and isn’t based on merit or anything about us.  He is the author of love and that’s what He does. That may not sound too difficult until we are hurt by people, or our loved ones are hurt by others. I think the normal response is to strike back or pull away.  As Christians, we know how we should be, but it is a major challenge to get that knowledge from head to heart.  

I don’t remember what perceived hurt or offense I was dealing with at this time but I was struggling.

From the journal . . . . August 1998

Lord, help me to love unselfishly today. Help me to not crave attention or popularity. Oh Lord, do what You need to do so that I would love unconditionally those who I think snub and reject me. Teach me to reach out and be patient with all men. Help is needed though, Lord. I need a major overhaul. Help me to do with my hurts what I should.

This is from my daily reading in Galatians.

Gal 2:20  I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.

Lord, You were so hated and rejected by man that they killed You, yet You loved and You lived!   Even those who loved You didn’t stay with You.  You love me and delivered Yourself up for me.  Lord, this is an understatement but what a comfort and example of how to love.

And I Believe God Said:

I love you.  I delivered Myself up for you.  If I am for you, who could be against you?  And what does it matter? 

Romans 8:31-32 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us? ³² He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things?

Love when there is nothing to gain.  Love because I love you.  Love because I love them.

1John 4:19  We love, because He first loved us. ²⁰ If someone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for the one who does not love his brother whom he has seen, cannot love God whom he has not seen. ²¹ And this commandment we have from Him, that the one who loves God should love his brother also.

They hurt Me but I love them.  They hurt you but I love them.  My child, I don’t like it when they hurt you any more than you like it when they hurt your kids. I understand but I love them. 

Luke 6:27-28  “But I say to you who hear, love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, ²⁸ bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.

Keep loving them.  Give Me all your hurts, but keep loving.  You are dying to self.  Pour out yourself and love.

It surprises me how often I have to go through this process. I don’t think it takes me as long as it used to, but it happens.  It helps to recognize Jesus’s unconditional love for me and His enemies.  However, I am also forced to acknowledge  that sometimes I’m the one doing the hurting that He is unhappy about. Ow, back to Jesus for the overhauling job!