Loving Beyond What Feels Fair
Jesus calls us to love even when it hurts
Jesus said to his disciples: “You have heard that it was said, You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy. But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your heavenly Father... So be perfect, just as your heavenly Father is perfect.”
Matthew 5:43-45, 48
It is easy to be kind to people who are kind to us. It is much harder when someone wounds us, ignores us, judges us, or treats us unfairly. Yet Jesus asks us to go beyond human instinct. He asks us to love even our enemies.
This does not mean pretending the hurt never happened. It does not mean allowing others to continue harming us. But it does mean refusing to let hatred take root in our hearts.
Sometimes the hardest prayer is not for ourselves, but for the person who caused us pain. We may not even feel ready to pray for them sincerely. Still, every small step matters. Even saying, “Lord, help me let go little by little,” is already a beginning.
Jesus reminds us that God does not only love the good or the deserving. He allows the sun to shine on everyone. In the same way, we are invited to reflect that same mercy in our own lives.
Loving this way is not weakness. It takes strength to choose compassion instead of bitterness. It takes courage to stop passing pain from one person to another.
Is there someone we are still holding anger against today? What would happen if we placed that person before God instead of carrying the burden alone?
Lord Jesus,
You know the people who have hurt us and the struggles hidden in our hearts. Teach us to love the way You love. Help us not to be consumed by anger or resentment. Give us wisdom to set healthy boundaries, but also give us the grace to forgive and pray for others. Shape our hearts to become more like Yours each day. Amen.