Relationships
Meanness at work, in the family or in a message is not “don’t take it personally”. Loving enemies does not mean standing there being trampled. Write it down. Tell someone you trust. You may set a boundary and ask for help. Love and protection belong together.
But I tell you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who mistreat you and persecute you,
What it means
Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you. Love is action, not warm feelings.
How you can live it
You may set boundaries and still refuse to return the same meanness. Tell someone you trust.
By David. the LORD is my light and my salvation. Whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life. Of whom shall I be afraid?
What it means
The Lord is my light and my salvation — whom shall I fear? The Lord defends my life. Light is a person, not only a mood.
How you can live it
If someone is unkind: you may seek shelter with someone you trust. Courage is not staying alone in the dark.
rejoicing in hope; enduring in troubles; continuing steadfastly in prayer;
What it means
Joy here is not that everything is fun. It is that hope still has a place when it hurts. Patience and prayer are how you stay — not how you pretend it is easy.
How you can live it
On a hard day: hold on to one hope, take the next step with patience, and pray a short prayer. Not everything at once.
A prayer
God, protect me. Give me courage to tell someone, and strength not to repay meanness with meanness. Amen.