Is There Someone You Can't Stand?

"Our battle is not against human forces but against the rulers and authorities and their dark powers that govern this world. We are struggling against the spirits and supernatural forces of evil." - Ephesians 6:12

There's this girl at my job that I really can't stand. I could be in a great mood and she walks in, opens her mouth and just gets me in a bad mood. Seriously, I could go on and on about her, but I shouldn't be telling you bad things about her because when I pray to God about how much I can't stand her, I realize I'm the one with the problem. You see, the book of Genesis tells us we were all created in the image of God, so He exists in all of us. How then could I not stand someone who is made in God's image? I can't stand this girl because just as God wants us to love one another, the devil works to put hate in our hearts for others. I see her as annoying but in reality, she hasn't done anything to me. The devil is the one that makes me feel animosity towards her. I'm constantly praying for love and patience to deal with her and do God's will, although every day is a struggle.

This is also the reason we cannot forgive people sometimes. We know we are supposed to forgive because even on the cross Jesus asked God to forgive those that crucified Him, so we must do the same. You see, those that hurt and betray us were tempted by the enemy to take those actions. We already know that person was created in the image of God so without the devil's influence, that person would not have hurt us. And when they hurt us, we cannot forgive and receive healing because the devil makes us hold on to the grudge, blocking God's will to relieve us and free us from the offense. We must open our eyes and realize that our true enemy is one, Satan and his demons, and they're so slick and subtle that they'll make us hate when we shouldn't while justifying that hate in our hearts. Jesus wants us to love as He did, even though He too was betrayed and offended. Forgiving does NOT mean what the person did to us was right, it only means that for God's sake, you are letting go of the hate that won't let you be free and receive love in your heart. So please think about the people in your life that you can't forgive, people that you can't stand and therefore don't treat well, and all others you don't hold in high esteem and remember that it is the will of God for you to love them, and if you refuse, you must know that it is the devil at work in you. As hard as this is to accept, there is no gray area here - you are either being influenced by God or the devil. Choose whose will you want to follow. Trust me, I know this is super hard, but Jesus did say His path was narrow and few will be able to follow it.

I'm taking my journey down that path day by day with my eyes focused on Him, constantly asking for strength and guidance.

Today's Prayer:
Lord, I want to ask You to bless all those that I don't get along with and those that I have grudges against in my heart. I know it is Your will for me to forgive and I know that the devil wants to keep me away from being free of these negative feelings, so please, help me move past this and reject the temptations of the enemy so that I can be perfect and righteous as You are. In Your Name we pray, Amen.