As a pastor, I experience criticism a lot. Whether it’s someone inside the church who thinks I should have handled something differently or someone outside the church who has issues with my biblical views or theology. I’ve come to realize that it’s just part of being a pastor. But the truth is, we all face criticism. We all experience hurt and pain from those around us. And the question is, how do we deal with those who hurt us?
Our natural response is often to retaliate. We want to defend ourselves, set the record straight, or even hurt them back. But Jesus offers us a radically different approach. In Matthew 5:43-44, He says, “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.”
Let’s be honest, this is a difficult command to obey. Loving people who have wronged us feels unnatural, even impossible at times. But Jesus calls us to a higher way of life—a way that refuses to be overcome by bitterness and anger.
I’ve heard it said, “If you respond to mistreatment with love, you’ll keep the other person from controlling you.” That’s a powerful truth. We can’t control what other people do, but we can choose to not be controlled by our frustrations with their actions. In other words, we can choose how we respond. If we let resentment take root, we allow our emotions to dictate our response. But when we choose love, we can walk in freedom.
Jesus modeled this perfectly. As He hung on the cross, suffering at the hands of those who hated Him. He could have called down angels to destroy them. Instead, He looked out at His enemies and prayed, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” (Luke 23:34). If Jesus could love in that moment, shouldn’t we seek to love when others hurt us?
One of the most powerful modern day examples of this is found in the story of missionary Elisabeth Elliot. Her husband, Jim Elliot, was killed by the very people he was trying to reach with the Gospel. But instead of responding with hatred, Elisabeth chose forgiveness. She went back to the same people who had murdered her husband, shared the love of Christ with them, and saw many of them come to faith. Her life was a testament to the transforming power of love.
So, when we face criticism, when someone wrongs us, or when we’re tempted to respond with anger, we must remember the words of Jesus. Love your enemies and pray for them. And trust that God is the ultimate judge. Because when we choose love, we reflect His heart and find freedom from bitterness.
Who is someone you need to pray for today? Ask God to help you love them with His love, and trust Him to do the rest.
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