Solidarity Through Stewardship: Loving Your Enemy
Think back to the last time you needed to forgive someone you considered an enemy. hurt someone you love It may have been a neighbor, a friend, or a family member. How difficult was it to let go of the anger and reconcile your differences? How long did it take for you forgive them completely?
Now think: if it was that hard to forgive a friend or loved one, how much harder is it to forgive yourself?
The Bible says this: “But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you…” (Matthew 5:44) Many times we are our own worst enemies when we make mistakes and cannot find it in our hearts to forgive ourselves and move on. So many people dwell in the past and are angry at themselves when they make financial mistakes that seem to have never ending consequences.
As we learn to be stewards of all the blessings God has given us, we are called to turn attention away from ourselves and our material possessions and to focus instead on God’s word. By learning to manage our money and possessions in a responsible manner, according to God’s will, we create room in our lives for love and prayer. We open our minds and our hearts to his message of contentment, peace and giving.
No matter how many mistakes you have made in the past, listen to God’s call by learning to put your finances in order so your attention is not weighed down by material goods and negative energy.
God gives us an easy solution to the problem of having enemies – we must simply love them. Love your enemies, is easier said than done, especially when you are trying to love yourself. But, remember, the foundation of stewardship is prayer. When we are in close communication with God, it opens our heart and it turns our attention away from “me” and moves it towards God and others. It allows us to have a little more empathy for “our enemy”. When we pray for others, even “our enemies”, maybe it softens their hearts as well as our own. Learning how to forgive your enemies can help you learn to forgive yourself.
