I Choose Lover Over Hate.

We were taught that the direct opposite of love is hate. So it means if you do not Love someone, you actually hate that person.

Ever heard this statement; the amount of love you feel for someone is the same amount of hate you would feel for that same person? So if I love someone so much, I could hate that same person just as much.

So what is it about hatred that makes us choose it above Love?

You could be saying right now that you don’t hate anyone. Actually, just like Love, hatred is in actions, in expressions. You might not go round smashing things, strangling someone, you might not even show the fictitious expression of hate we so often see in the movies, our society and so on; it still doesn’t mean you are not free from hate.

Hatred is a deep and extreme emotional dislike towards someone or a group of people. It is often associated with feelings of anger, disgust and a disposition towards hostility and often times the result of unforgiveness.

What does God have to say on the topic of Love and Hate?

You shall not hate your brother in your heart, but you shall reason frankly with your neighbor, lest you incur sin because of him. (Leviticus 19:17)

You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against the sons of your own people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself. (Leviticus 19:18)

Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you (Matthew 5:44)

You shall love your neighbor as yourself. (Matthew 22:39)

Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you (Luke 6:27)

We hardly realize the devastating effect of hatred and how much it steals from us. Maybe because it often starts as a harmless seed sown in the heart of a man.  But by the time it grows, you will be amazed how much destruction such a little seed can cause.

Let’s talk about wars, broken homes and families, civil wars leading to societal stagnation, terrorism, genocides, all these terrible events which have cost lives and properties and defined history, with their effects even reaching generations that were not born at the time of those events. Usually it starts as something really small, little trouble here and there. It seems not to matter at that time. However, a tiny seed can create a forest.

Think of the unhappiness and fear all around the world today, results of hatred. You may think hating one person really makes no difference, but it does.

A young man killed his younger brother out of hatred because he felt he deserved what his younger brother got. The anger fueled hatred and led to murder. I try to imagine what would have been produced by this young man who was murdered. There are a lot of possibilities, so many we might even no idea, but none of that would happen because of one’s man’s outburst of hatred.

What causes Hatred?

Fear: Often times we are afraid of things that seem different from us or things turning out different from what we expect. Instead of being brave and face those things, we turn to hate, feeling it is the best solution to this problem.

Jealousy/Envy: What would you do if you saw someone you started with at the same time doing far better than you are doing? Your answer to this determines if you are allowing Love rule or hate.

Past Experiences/Background: Our experiences have a way of structuring our thought pattern. For example, some who have had bad experiences with the opposite sex or a particular group of people, they tend to hate the site of them.

Remember however that perfect Love casts out all fear; we should not be anxious for anything but present our requests with prayers, supplications and thanksgiving and God’s peace that passes human understanding will guard our heart; in Christ, we are new creatures, the past is gone and we can have a fresh start.

The thing is, people will always hurt you, break your heart but love helps you live in peace with yourself and others. If the world will experience peace, it needs Love.

You Are Never Alone.