When you hate someone

Have you ever felt disdain for someone? Hatred, even? Guilt that you should forgive an enemy, but you don’t know how?
Maybe this will help.

Dear Lord,

You know my heart, so I can’t pretend I don’t feel this way.
I’m angry.
My pride is hurt.
I feel manipulated, or betrayed, or used
by someone.
I don’t like that person at all.
I don’t want to say “I hate,”
but I wonder if it’s true.
Am I a person who could hate someone?

No,
I just don’t trust him.
I just can’t forgive her.
I just don’t want to be with him.
We’re just not friends.

These are the things I tell myself,
but you know they aren’t true.
I hate.
I withhold forgiveness.
It makes me feel powerful,
or at least that’s what I think.

It’s not true.
It’s a trap.
There’s no freedom in hate and unforgiveness.

Seventy times seven.
That’s what you said.
You forgave me,
so I need to forgive everyone else.
No one has sinned against me
like I have sinned against you.

Change my heart
and help me to love others like you love me.
It’s hard to believe, but
you love us all the same.

Lord, forgive me, please.
I confess my sin.
Cleanse me of it.
Give me your love
and help me to see people the way you see them.
Show me something today about this person–
some hurt, some fear she has.
Show me his humanity–
the things that make us so similar.
Help that realization to humble me,
instead of it making me proud, judgmental, and defensive.

I worship you in all of my unworthiness.
I’m amazed that you love me at all.

In Jesus’ name,
Amen.