Today's devotional, "GIVING UP HATE," is the last in a series of writings about giving things up for Lent... and beyond. We started with giving up "good luck." Then we moved on to giving up fear and then giving up shame, which is hatred turned inward. This devotional is about outward hatred, or hating others. Read on to see how that applies to everyone, even you.
Blessings,
Jan
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Today's Devotional:
"GIVING UP HATE"
by
Jan Andersen
Today we will think about giving up hating others for Lent… and beyond. You may be thinking, “But I don’t hate anyone!” Let’s think about all the ways this hatred can play out, just in case you think you are not guilty. Hatred may be a pretty strong word. There can be many subtle variations on this theme of hate. It might be as simple as disliking someone. At its worst hatred could be anger that leads to physical harm or murder. Sometimes it is easier to think of the opposite - love. Anything that doesn’t support loving others leads you down the path of some form of hatred.
The stronger forms of hatred are simpler to discern. When we totally despise someone to the point of hating them, we are usually aware of that. Striking out in anger out of hatred at something someone else has said or done is pretty easy to recognize also. When we seek revenge out of bitterness and resentment, that is pretty clear as well.
Lesser forms of hate may be harder to recognize. Perhaps we pass judgement on someone just because they do things differently. Maybe we don’t even realize when we are being prejudicial against others, such as when we crack jokes about people or groups who are different from us, or pass on negative stereotypes in how we talk about others. When we complain about a certain person or people consistently without thought, it can be an extension of hating. Gossip, passing on unconfirmed juicy information about someone because we don’t care for them, is a soft form of hate. Purposely turning our backs on others in need with an attitude of we don’t care or don’t want to know their needs is not loving.
Anything that does not build another up in love can be characterized as a form of hate. Instead we need to reach out to help others, treat them with respect and love, be grateful and thankful for others, and offer forgiveness when they treat us poorly. Forgiving may be one of the most difficult parts of giving up hate. But forgiving someone does not release them from responsibility - it releases the forgiver from the angst and internal turmoil.
Thankfully we have a loving God who forgives us where we fall short and also offers us help to change our ways. We can come to Him in prayer, asking for forgiveness where we have hated, and helping us to love and forgive others as He first loved and forgave us.
Colossians 3:13 NIV Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.
“Giving up hate" for Lent and beyond can release us in so many ways. “Giving up” things for Lent takes on so many different meanings for people. Let’s “give up” our whole selves to the Lord in all that we do, for the rest of Lent… and beyond!
Dear loving Father in heaven, we thank you for all of your blessings in our lives. Especially we thank you for your loving forgiveness. Help us to eliminate all forms of hate in our lives, and help us instead to love and forgive all others, just as You have done for us in Jesus, in whose name we pray. Amen.
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Song:
LOVE IS STRONGER THAN HATE
Rev. Walter Ellis and The Country Boys
Rev. Walter Ellis and The Country Boys
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"If you want to learn to love better, you should start with a friend who you hate." Nikka, age 6
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Prayers are lifted up daily for you
by the Devotional Writers and the Monthly Writing Staff
of Women's Focus Ministries.
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Jan Andersen, Sandy Billingham, Carol Steficek,
Brother Thomas Ukwute, Jody Ward, Karen Bennett,
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Amie Spruiell, and Debbie Rodriguez
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Kelly Dobyns, Glenna Williamson,
Amie Spruiell, and Lisabeth Lipp.
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