SMALL STEPS IN LOVING YOUR ENEMY
•• SMILE at your enemy.
St. Jane de Chantal found it difficult to forgive the man who accidentally killed her husband and she began with a little smile. You might argue that it is hypocritical but the effort of putting forth something positive for someone you feel negatively about is a big step towards healing and forgiveness.
•• PRAY for your enemy.
If the mere mention of the name of your enemy is difficult, just say "I pray for... You know who, Lord". You need not have any specific prayer intention, just let God's good purpose do the work.
•• WRITE A LETTER to your enemy
Let it all out in a letter and then DESTROY the letter. Unexpressed sentiments can be consuming but once we let it go, we feel differently.
BIG STEPS to loving your enemy
•• TALK
Do as St. John Paul II and take the initiative to talk to your enemy and find a way to understand the other person.
•• STOP REFERRING TO YOUR ENEMY AS ENEMY
Untagging a person to the word "enemy" is a big step to treating that person just like you would treat other people in your life.
It may be difficult to do but the one thing that's for certain FORGIVING is the biggest gift we can give to ourselves.
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