I once heard it said, “It’s easy to love people who love you back, but how well do you love the people who hate you?” In other words, can you show grace, love, and mercy towards people who do not show it to you? Can you show forgiveness to the person who deliberately wronged you?

I believe it is in our human nature to want to “get even” when we’re hurt, or when injustices have occurred. But in these moments, I think of Jesus on the cross. Jesus was beaten and mocked before being hung on that cross. If anyone deserved to be righteously angry or upset, it would have been Jesus in that moment. And yet, after enduring unthinkable suffering for our sins, Jesus turned to heaven and said (in Luke 23:34) “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” Can you believe that? Jesus asks for forgiveness for the very people who are unjustly crucifying Him.

Consider approaching life with the love, grace, and mercy of Jesus Christ. Whom do you need to forgive today? Whom can you be loving towards—even if they haven’t been loving towards you?  Ask God to reveal where and how you can touch people with your love. By not acting out in anger, and by resisting the urge to “get even” we can show the world what God’s love really looks like.          

This is Luis Palau.