Jesus taught us to love our neighbors. But He didn’t stop there.

He taught us to love our enemies, too.

Even the people who hurt us. The people who speak against us. The people who may never apologize.

Love Hard

That’s a hard kind of love.

When someone hurts us, it’s natural to want them to understand our pain. We may hold on to anger, waiting for an apology that never comes.

But the longer we hold on to bitterness, the longer we carry the hurt.

Forgiveness is how we begin to put it down.

It doesn’t mean what happened was okay. It doesn’t mean we have to trust someone again or invite them back into our lives.

Sometimes caring for someone means keeping our distance.

We can wish them well without welcoming their behavior. We can pray for them without speaking to them. We can forgive while still protecting ourselves.

And we can leave justice in God’s hands without allowing hatred to take root in our own hearts.

Jesus said: “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” — Matthew 5:44

He didn’t say this would be easy.

But He showed us that we don’t have to return hurt with hurt.

We can respond with grace, even when someone else doesn’t.

We can release the need for an apology, even when it never comes.

And we can forgive without giving someone another opportunity to wound us.

Not because they deserve another chance, but because we deserve to live without bitterness.

Love them anyway. Even from afar.

Love yourself, as yourself. Gal. 5:14®