Loving Thy Neighbor (or family)

[Conservative]

Anyone having a problem with this one? I harbor such bad feelings - in some cases, perhaps, justifiably - and I can’t unharbor those bad feelings. So many people - so many hurts and wrongs - so much anger. I can’t be false and play the Glad Game. I know Our Lord taught us to love our enemies but I’m getting down lately about this one feeling that not obeying will get me down. How do you deal with this?

 

[Pax]

Anger isn’t easy to deal with and it can’t be handled without the grace of God. Prayer is essential.

I heard something once that really helped me get passed some rough spots. I heard it said that “anger and ill will towards someone is like swallowing a poison pill and then hoping that the other person get’s sick.” The person that is the object of your anger is unaware of what is eating you up inside. Your anger hurts you and not them. Forgiveness is the cure and can be very powerful in its effects.

Pray always and do your Christian best to heal the wounds between yourself and others.

 

[MariaTheresa]

Hello,

What I’ve found most helpful is to go to confession. It’s the only cure for this type of stumbling block.
Tell your priest that you are unable to forgive and that you want to and that you want God’s help and forgiveness to keep trying.

I’m sure you know all this already but maybe it helps to hear it from someone else who struggles with the same thing. Don’t just go to confession once either, make repeat visits over this issue . Healing means more than one dose of medicine.

Peace,
Maria

 

[Miserissima]

I clean house when I go through a phase like this. I ask God to scrub the corners of my heart as I do it, too. It’s like the physical act has become a part of my prayer.

I also go out of my way to do things for people I don’t like, or people who have hurt me. Just simple things: opening doors, carrying groceries, sweeping for them.

Ironically, I learned that it’s easier to do these things for strangers than to do them for people I know…and to do it for people I know is much more difficult. But it does get easier with time.