I've never had any enemies. Or rather I don't remember making any. Maybe I'm really thick skinned and don't even realise it when I have. But anyway, I never had an enemy that I actively remember and hate.
So what defines an enemy? Someone you absolutely cannot stand? But that is just annoyance. In any case, I don’t think someone who can annoy you to the point of hatred. You just don’t want to spend time with the person because you cannot stand them. Or you run away every time you see this person. That’s not an enemy. What about someone whom you’ve done wrong to? Nah, cannot be. If that is the case, you are the one who is to be blamed. Serves you right la. What about someone who is better than you? I know some people who feel intimidated by people who are better than them: prettier, smarter, nicer, kinder, sweeter, more admirers, more pursuers. Really wan. They make it their life long quest to be better than everyone they know and they compare until the cows come home. They try to make themselves feel better by observing others’ faults and gossiping about their inadequacy. (you can tell by the length of this paragraph that I know an awful lot about this) HAHAHAHAHA. However, I still don’t think they are your enemies; they are only people who you are jealous of and you try to be better than them. I’m still learning to let go because grandma said in Canto: “YAN BEI YAN, BEI SEI YAN” Which in English, it would sound something like this: “Human compare with human, compare until die lor” Ps: Lor for effect only.
I guess what it means is, if you keep comparing yourself to other people, until the day you die the task will never be over. So what’s the point of comparing? Love yourself, love others and live happily with everyone. Haha Okay, next point. What about people who has hurt you? Maybe. I say maybe because they might have done it accidentally. They might not have purposely hurt you and most of the time, it is really just a clash of interests or beliefs or just plain practice. This is more of your own problem then. If this person hurt you unintentionally, I think for you own sakes you should forgive them and move on. No point being upset over something that they might not even realise. And it’s better for you anyway. If you store up all these things inside, all it does is make you a bitter person. It makes you b-I-tter, not b-E-tter. HAHAHAHAHA GET IT?
 Cat and Rat. Enemies turned friends.
David was one who made enemies not because of his own faults. He was happily minding his own business when all of a sudden Saul, out of his jealousy and his own insecurities, started chasing him down to kill him. David had every right to be upset. He had every right to be angry and hate Saul. Wouldn’t you? I know I would.  Poor, helpless David with Saul There were TWO incidences when David could have taken Paul’s life. I mean, come on, if I were David, I would totally do it. Hello, it’s only logic. Kill your foe before he kills you. If you let him go, he’s just going to pursue you again. Ok even if you let him go, the first time I understand. Must give chance to people right? But SECOND TIME? He was either funny in the head, or he had a really good reason to let Saul go. And fortunately for us, he did have a good reason. “Do not destroy him, for who can stretch out his hand against the Lord’s anointed and be without guilt?” I must really give it to David. He had nothing but respect for Saul and yet Saul sought after him like David was a vicious terrorist. David instead, STILL respected Saul because God anointed Saul as king. So if anything were to be done to Saul, God would be the only One who has the right to do so. Jesus loved his enemies. He was in the same way pursued by people who were jealous and insecure. He didn’t take their lives although He had every right to. He was God! But he loved them to the point of dying on the cross. He loved. He forgave. He saved. It’s so difficult to be a Christian. You have to defy all logic and deny all things natural to us. Hate your enemies, an eye for an eye. Yet, Jesus said, “love” because it is only though this way people can see God.
I think Paul puts it perfectly in Romans 12: 19-21 Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," says the Lord. 20 On the contrary (see, must do opposite of our nature) "If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.
In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head." Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. God, please help me to love my enemies. |