Last year at Christmastime, I awoke one morning feeling very ill with flu-like symptoms. As the day progressed, though, it was filled with wonderful expressions of love, gratitude, and healing for my family. By the next evening I was cooking dinner and completely free from all symptoms of illness. I was extremely grateful for this quick turnaround and for God’s great care for me!
However, the following day a relative intentionally said something untrue and unkind about me to others, which made me very angry. By the end of the day, I started to feel ill again. Over the next few days, the flu-like symptoms returned and intensified. Despite all of this, I never felt any fear. What I felt was a need to forgive and love my relative.
Christ Jesus told us, “Love one another” (John 13:34), and further taught, “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” (Matthew 5:44).
