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Stephen Elmore's avatar

Reading this article really struck a chord with me. The idea of loving your enemies, as Jesus talks about in the Sermon on the Mount, seems so counterintuitive but also really powerful. I mean, it's easy to get caught up in the heat of the moment and want to strike back when someone’s being a jerk, but Jesus is saying to do the exact opposite—show kindness and even pray for them. It makes me think about how I handle conflicts at school or with friends. Instead of letting anger or resentment take over, maybe trying to understand where the other person is coming from could really change things for the better.

The concept of turning the other cheek is another thing that really stands out to me. At first, it might sound like just letting people walk all over you, but it’s more about not letting the cycle of negativity and revenge keep going. By not retaliating, you’re actually showing strength and refusing to add more fuel to the fire. It makes me realize that reacting with grace and not getting caught up in petty conflicts can be a way to rise above the situation. Jesus’ example of forgiving those who were crucifying Him is like the ultimate level of this. If He can show that kind of forgiveness, it makes me think I should be able to handle my own conflicts with a bit more compassion and understanding.

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