Romans 12:20-21, “²⁰ Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. ²¹ Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.”

Throughout Scripture, we see that we are to not only love one another (those in the faith), but our enemies as well. I have read this next passage many times, but hadn’t seen it as the wonderful example of loving our enemies that it is.

Psalm 35:11-14, “¹¹ False witnesses did rise up; they laid to my charge things that I knew not. ¹² They rewarded me evil for good to the spoiling of my soul. ¹³ But as for me, when they were sick, my clothing was sackcloth: I humbled my soul with fasting; and my prayer returned into mine own bosom. ¹⁴ I behaved myself as though he had been my friend or brother: I bowed down heavily, as one that mourneth for his mother.”

Can you imagine it? The Psalmist mourns for his enemies hardship as if for his own friend or family. That is truly living out love your enemies.

How does that apply to those of us who are disabled, isolated, or chronically ill?

One thing that I have caught myself struggling with many times since isolation came is letting little slights become big ones. It is so easy to make mountains out of molehills as we have way too much time to think about things. These verses may help. We must love our “enemies” (both real and those that come when we hold on to things).

Matthew 5:44, “⁴⁴ 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;”

When hurt by others we should adjust our thoughts and follow these verses above and look for ways to serve or encourage them, following these Scriptures. We should love our enemies.