The Consequences of Hate

This past week I’ve had a rough time.  I learned some lessons on love that had the potential to totally destroy me.  Yet, my ever-faithful God guided me through the valley.  What could’ve taken terrible turns and the reinforcement of destructive habits, instead brought a different outlook and total reliance on Him.  He is so awesome!

For several years now, I’ve been the target of a smear campaign.  It’s been designed to bring about destruction, control and ultimately hate.    At every turn my words get twisted against me, my care and concern is called into question and allegations are leveled at me.  I am called to continually show these people love, but I’ve been wrestling with how to love someone who only hates me back. 

The reality is, my heart is absolutely, completely, irrevocably broken. 

In spite of that, I have already forgiven them.  It’s not bitterness, anger or unforgiveness that I’m feeling.  It all boils down to the fact that I don’t trust them.  I don’t want to put myself out there.  I don’t want to be close to them.  I don’t want to talk to them.  I don’t even want to be in the same room as them.  Yet, I unconditionally love them. 

I’ve been questioning what God is calling me to do.  Am I being obedient?  Is it obedient to forgive, but not be around them?  Is it obedient to forgive, but not trust?  He led me to three verses:

Hebrews 12:5-6 - ⁵ And have you completely forgotten this word of encouragement that addresses you as a father addresses his son? It says, “My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, ⁶ because the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and he chastens everyone he accepts as his son.”

Proverbs 3:11-12 -  ¹¹ My son, do not despise the Lord’s discipline, and do not resent his rebuke, ¹² because the Lord disciplines those he loves, as a father the son he delights in.

Revelation 3:19 - ¹⁹ Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent.

I learned that rebuking and discipline are love.  I’m not saying that I am being called to discipline and rebuking the behavior.  That job is all His!  I did find peace in these verses.  They show that consequences to behavior aren’t ungodly nor hate. 

It doesn’t give me the right to be smug or mean, but it does give me the peace to know that it’s okay to limit my interaction.  It’s not my job to make them holy.  It’s not my job to limit the consequences of their choices.  It’s my job to forgive and to follow where God leads.