Have you ever been hated? How did you respond? The world would tell us to give up, get rid, but Jesus certainly didn’t do this. By following His example we can learn how to be Christlike when hated.
I once found myself hated beyond what my mind could comprehend. It didn’t make sense to me, and yet here I was the hated one. I would show up, and not only was I hated, but I wasn’t wanted. It hurt deeper than anything I had ever felt. But God kept whispering in my ear to keep showing up, so I did.
At the door, I would stand and ask God to fill me from my toes to my head. Then I would hum the song, “Love Them Like Jesus.” I knew it wasn’t possible in my own strength but with God it was. Oh, I didn’t always do it well but I kept trying.
Is God asking you to love someone who hates you? Or maybe they can’t return the love at this time. Don’t let that stop you from responding in a Christlike way.
We can learn to love others like Jesus if we lean into Him. It won’t be easy, but it is possible.
Our featured post today is from Gretchen Fleming. She shares with us some wise words on how to live when we are the hated one. She digs deep into the best example we will ever have – Jesus. Through his example, she gives us “Four Ways We Can Be Christlike When We Are Hated.” She reminds us Jesus never changed his behavior when he was hated.
Please welcome my friend, Gretchen Fleming. You can find her beautiful website here where she writes about the glorious journey following hard after God.
Now for Our Featured Post
How To Live With Being Hated
Click here to read our featured post.
Gretchen, thank you for linking up with Grace & Truth. Grab a button and link back – I am sure your readers would love to celebrate with you!
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Thanks for sharing your great linkup on the #LMMLInkup this week. I enjoyed reading your posts so much.
Mary – You are so sweet. The feeling is likewise. Did you happen to see an email I sent you a week or so ago? Maree
Thanks for sharing. When the Lord calls us to follow His example. He has already provided everything we need to answer that call in a Godly way. We just need to listen and obey.
Yes – Listen and Obey. Jesus is such a great example. Thank you for stopping by. Maree
Being hated is NO FUN! I love the discipline of entering with prayer and humming a song about loving them like Jesus.
Anita – You are so right, it is not fun to be hated. Thank goodness God always loves us even when we aren’t very loveable. Thank you for stopping by. Maree
Great post today! laurensparks.net
Yes, loved Gretchen’s post. Thank you for stopping by. Maree
Yes Maree, I have been there too, from Ones whom were previously in the closest of relationships too 🙁 extremely heart rendering & agonizing when a choice is made to believe an absolute untruth (which in the end was bought to light but the damage had been done). I can really empathize with you here… But God! Praise Him!
Blessings,
Jennifer
Jennifer – Yes, with God we can do it, and it is so worth it. Blessings, Maree
Loving in return is so hard especially when the other person has hatred towards you, but it is so what we are called to do. Scripture makes it clear. Thanks for sharing Gretchen’s post and for hosting the linkup. Blessings to you Maree!
Debbie – Thank you for joining us here. I hope your weekend is fabulous. Maree
Thank you so much Maree!! Appreciate you and your encouragement greatly 🙌💕
Gretchen – Thank you for blessing all of us at Grace & Truth with your beautiful, wise words. Maree
Giving back love when you are hated is one of the most difficult things, but it is without a doubt what we are called to do. I used to be a school teacher. At the beginning of the year, there were often some mistrustful, sullen students. I tried to give them some extra love, and they always came around. Giving love is always worth the effort!
Laurie, Wow, what a blessing you must have been to your students. Not all teachers are willing to go the extra mile and love the most difficult. Thank you! Maree