Phoenix: Live Love Laugh

What if loving your enemies was more than a suggestion—it was a command that frees your soul? I reflects on Matthew 5:44 and why I chooses peace over retaliation, even when it hurts.

Love Your Enemies

To be honest, I don’t think I have enemies.
At least, not in the way the world defines them.
Because to me, being in an “enemy-battle” takes two people—and I refuse to pick up weapons in a war I never agreed to.

Now, there may be people who don’t like me.
But if I’ve never knowingly hurt you, if you’ve never voiced your pain to me—then you’re holding something I can’t help you carry.
And if our spiritual energies no longer align, I’ll peacefully release you with nothing but love.

Yes, I’ve been hurt.
Yes, there are moments I’ve wanted to lash out.
But instead, I pray:

“God, heal my heart. Mend the pain. Let the sting dissolve.”

And with time, prayer makes it possible. Even when it doesn’t feel easy.

What Does the Bible Say?

“But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you.”
— Matthew 5:44 (KJV)

The word “love” used here is from the Greek agapaō (G25):

“To welcome, to entertain, to be fond of, to love dearly (in a social or moral sense).”

Jesus wasn’t just offering a suggestion—He gave us a radical command.

Love Is a Weapon—But Not How You Think

When we’re attacked—by words, lies, betrayal—our first instinct is often defense.
But Jesus said:

Don’t curse them. Bless them.
Don’t retaliate. Do good.
Don’t hate. Pray.

Because love protects your own heart from hardening.
Love keeps your soil soft so nothing bitter can grow roots.

Don’t Let Hate Poison Your Garden

Hate mirrors hate.
Bitterness breeds more bitterness.
Pride multiplies where peace should reside.

So I choose a different kind of weapon:

🕊 Love, which guards my peace.
🕊 Prayer, which covers my heart.
🕊 Forgiveness, which keeps me free.

Let God’s fire burn away the entanglements.
Let the Holy Spirit uproot the weeds.
Let love be the weapon that protects your soul from becoming like the very thing that tried to hurt you.

Let It Go—Fully

Let go of:

• The trespasses of the past
• The offense that took root
• The weight of what they did
• The fear of what might happen next

Your future is too sacred to be entangled by the hatred of others.

Don’t study their moves. Don’t let their actions govern your emotions.
Fix your focus on God.
Choose peace over pride.
Choose love over retaliation.
Choose freedom.

Final Blessing

As you head into your weekend, I leave you with this:

“Don’t stumble by studying the hate of your enemies. Focus on God.”

Happy Friday. Stay grounded in love. Stay rooted in Him. And stay free.