Responding to Hate with Love

Sep 30, 2024

Many of us were raised in churches and homes where we were taught about Jesus and God as loving and gracious. We heard that Jesus said, “love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.” (Matthew 5) We also memorized verses like: “Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God.”(1 John)

Jesus was despised and rejected, and loved people anyway. Jesus loves everyone—no exceptions. God declared all of his creation good from the beginning. God sees himself in us and accepts us because he created us. God showed Jesus that he was enough when he was baptized, and Jesus went around showing everyone that they were enough and loved and valued. Who are we to decide some of the people he created are not good or deserve to be hated and even killed?

We need to be healed from the belief that for me to be something, someone else has to be less. We need to let go of the impossible expectation of perfection in ourselves and others which causes so much judgment, discouragement, and hypocrisy. I read somewhere that expectations are premeditated resentments. We need to overcome the belief that we are innately evil and that we cannot trust our own thoughts or feelings. That we must be ashamed of our inner selves and either become a different person or pretend to be different.

We don’t have to spend time with everyone to love them. Some people keep hurting us and we must protect ourselves but can keep loving them from a distance. Please watch this video of Bleeding Love, covered by my husband Tracy:

Yes, God is always love and is never hate. Jesus modeled humility, compassion and respect. Jesus spoke about the need to care for the poor, the oppressed and the marginalized, showing concern for those who were suffering while advocating for justice and fairness. Jesus lived and died for the purpose of forgiveness, redemption and reconciliation. Jesus served others and put their needs first. He focused on the kingdom of God rather than earthly materialism, success or power. He promoted inclusivity and acceptance regardless of social status, background, or past actions. Jesus taught love and non-violence in the face of hatred and aggression. Let’s do our best to follow his lead.

May be a doodle of heart and text that says 'AND IF, WHEN IT IS ALL OVER, I'M ASKED WHAT I DID WITH I WANT TO MY LIFE, BE ABLE TO SAY " OFFERED LOVE." Terri TerriSt.Cloud St. Cloud'

Times of crises seem to bring people together to help each other despite our differences. As we begin the long process of recovering from Hurricane Helene, let us draw from our empathy and love and set aside feelings of hate or resentment. There were many areas impacted by Hurricane Helene, but western North Carolina seems to be one of the biggest areas of need. If you are wondering what to do to help, here is a list of organizations who are supporting hurricane victims in Asheville and Western NC:

Manna FoodBank in Asheville

https://www.mannafoodbank.org/

BeLoved Asheville

https://belovedasheville.com/get-involved/

Forsyth Humane Society (pet fosters)

https://www.facebook.com/ForsythHumaneSociety

Asheville Buncombe Community Christian Ministry

https://www.abccm.org/donations/ministry-fund/

Homeward Bound in Asheville

https://homewardboundwnc.org/

Mountain Projects

https://mountainprojects.org/