Covering this topic in depth could easily be an entire book. We'll keep it simple with just a few things:

First, who is your enemy?

Second, why would you love your enemy?

And third, a healing poem for loving your enemies.

But first, the teaching of Jesus, as recorded in Luke 6:27-28:

When you think of your enemies, what comes to mind?

According to the scripture, our enemies are those who hate us, who curse us, and who use us.

When I think of my enemies, I think of three categories of people:

• those close to me who have hurt me
• groups or people, or institutions
• aspects of myself

There are many wounds we hold in our hearts. There are many who we feel have caused those wounds. Perhaps there are even many that we feel need to suffer or be punished for the wounds we have received at their hands.

As we progress along the path of healing and personal growth, we eventually realize there are parts of ourselves that we don't like so much.

I'm not referring to the more superficial, critical voice we generally have in our heads...because that voice generally isn't truly ours, but comes from the voices of our youth.

Instead, I'm suggesting that we discover those parts of us that we truly dislike...the weaknesses and evil we all have within.

There are so many reasons to list for why we would want to love our enemy! But let's start with this...

Imagine two men in business together. They've been partners for a long time and it appears that all is well. Then, one day, one finds out that the other has been stealing money from the company. Being hurt and angry, he decides to seek revenge by tearing him down with their associates. Now, the other man is hurt and upset at how he is being treated, and also decides to seek revenge.

This becomes a cycle of destruction, one man continuing to hurt the other, as if this will somehow make things "right." But of course, we know it will not.

Let's imagine this scenario a bit differently this time...

These same two partners are in business and all appears to be going well. One day, one partner finds out that the other has been stealing money from the company. Feeling hurt and angry, he decides to talk with his partner. By choosing this route, he creates an opportunity for his partner to apologize (to repent), and for things to be repaired.

Whether the man who stole the money chooses to repent or not is not the point. The important thing is that by choosing to love his enemy - to talk with his partner who stole the money - the opportunity for love and reconciliation now exists.

Love those who hate you. Love others, and love yourself. As we do so, we find the opportunity for healing. For repentance. For reconciliation. And ultimately, for peace.

One way the Spirit speaks to me is through poetry. I don't write these poems, I receive them. It's a gift I'm so grateful for. I hope that this poem brings healing and understanding to your heart.