I read Our Daily Bread every morning for inspiration. This morning’s read was something profound that I think we take for granted. People in this day and age are jealous, envious, and spiteful. We all have haters but we need to know how to handle them. After all, if you ain’t got no haters, you ain’t poppin.

4 But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you. – Matthew 5:44

Do good to those who hate you…kill them with kindness. Rejoicing at someone’s downfall is like participating in the cause of that downfall or even wishing more evil on the person.

How do we react when something bad happens to our neighbor or when our neighbor gets into trouble? If they are nice and friendly then, of course we will sympathize with them and go to her aid. But what if they are a hater? Our natural tendency may be to ignore them or even secretly rejoice at his downfall.

Proverbs warns us: “Do not gloat when your enemy falls; when they stumble, do not let your heart rejoice.”

Lord, open our eyes and our hearts to be honest about our attitude toward those who are unkind or unfair to us. Fill our hearts with Your love, Lord, and help us pray for our enemies.

Love your haters. Don’t settle and stoop down to their level. But, continue to shine, after all that’s why God put you on this earth.

Love your neighbor as yourself.