“Bless those who curse you. Pray for those who hurt you.” Luke 6:28 NLT https://bible.com/bible/116/luk.6.28.NLT
This passage is written in the context of enemies. People who are against us.
Reflection
Have you ever had someone you love curse you out with an intensity of emotion and energy that takes your breath away? It is disorienting, to say the least.
Has someone you loved hurt you physically, emotionally, or spiritually? There is no pain like it.
While this passage does apply to the big bad, evil people in the world, the real challenge of it comes when someone we love and are close to take it out on us. It's not right. It hurts. The wounds from the cursing and hurt are an assault to the relationship. This is difficult to handle.
Encouragement
Christ gives us a way forward. Two words: Bless and Pray!
More specifically - Bless and Pray for them.
To be sure, this is not how we want to respond. We want to lash back or run away. A little revenge or retaliation might be nice. It is easy to think "let me give you a dose of your own medicine!"
The way of Jesus is different. He asks us to not act on our first impulses. Rather, he asks us to come to a full stop, and ask the Holy Spirit to help us will the good of the beloved offender by blessing and praying for them.
There is an old saying in counseling: "Hurt people hurt people." While cursing and hurting other is not right, Christ asks us to consider the hurt from which the harsh words and actions flow. Love can be so helpful during a time like this. Forgiveness is life giving. An act of kindness is such a gift.
Praying for someone is bringing them before God the Father for the love and care they need. Prayer helps us want the best for the person. It also frees us to love as we should.
Is there a relationship(s) you need to take a fresh look where harsh words and hurtful behaviors have left you wounded? In faith, step forward with the help of the Holy Spirit to will the good of the other with prayer and blessing.
Prayer
Dear Jesus,
Thank you for this direction today.
We need your help in blessing and praying for those who are hard on us.
Thank you for leading us in this.
In your name, Jesus, we pray,
Amen
-Ed McDowell