I feel like most people don't have enemies - we just know people who annoy us. But the root of this annoyance is that we would rather view someone in terms of how they affect us, rather than how they are affected by us.
Viewing someone as "the enemy" objectifies them. It steals away their heart and their fears, their insecurities and their victories. It only leaves whatever behavior you don't like about them. It takes the humanness away from people and leaves them, in your mind, less than human. They become the sum total of their actions towards you.
It's easier to hate (dislike, not prefer, avoid, be bothered by - pick your minced word of choice) someone than it is to understand them. Loving your enemies restores their humanity. It says that given similar circumstances, I might be just like them.
Here's the hard truth: everybody is hurt.
Angry people have been tremendously hurt, and protect themselves from being hurt again by bristling up to keep people at bay. Angry people are hurt people. Selfish people are hurt people. Sad people are hurt people. Lonely people are hurt people. Spiteful people are hurt people.
Hurt people do not need more hurt - they don't need to be destroyed - they don't need to be avoided. They need to be loved. When someone "pushes your buttons" and gets under your skin, that should be the bright flashing light in your head that says "this person needs love SO badly."
Mathew 5: 43-46
"But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that?"
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