Therefore if your enemy hungers, feed him; if he thirsts, give him drink: for in so doing you shall heap coals of fire on his head. {Romans 12:20}
Heaping burning coals upon your enemies head sounds about right. However, it doesn't mean what you think it means. It means that if someone is cruel to you, mean, or has a hardened heart, heaping burning coals {love} upon their head will melt their hardened heart.
Love is healing. It works miracles. This is why Jesus commands us to love others no matter how difficult they are to love. Every one needs to be loved. Most people that are unhappy haven't been loved correctly.
Loving your children means disciplining them properly. It means setting boundaries. It means being gentle, kind, and warm with them. It means treating them with respect.
Loving your husband means submitting to his leadership. It means respecting him as your head. It means learning what pleases him and serve him gladly.
Loving your mean mother-in-law means being kind to her even when she is unkind to you. It means serving her regardless how she treats you.
You don't win any one by being angry or cold with them. Love is quick to forgive and difficult to offend. It is not being hard, sharp, or legalistic. It is being merciful. It is living with peace with all men. It is overcoming evil with good.
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bluecottonmemory 55p · 658 weeks ago
Love always reaches, always forgives, doesn't seek offense but goodness - your post means a lot to my heart right now - for the challenges I find myself facing!
Colleen · 658 weeks ago
Stephen Gould · 658 weeks ago
I often share a story about a young Japanese bride who went to the apothecary and asked for an undetectable poison that she could administer to her hateful mother-in-law. The apothecary sold her a potion with the instructions to serve in tea and then administer a massage, to move the potion throughout the system. He assured her that within a month the mother-in-law that she knew would be no more.
The distraught young bride returned before the month was over, begging for an antidote to the poison.
"Your mother-in-law is a hateful woman, why would you want to save her life?" asked the apothecary.
"No, no! " cried the young woman, "She is wonderful! I love her! Please give me the antidote to the poison."
The old apothecary smiled at the young bride and said, "Calm yourself! I did not give you any poison, for there was poison enough in your heart. And you have already administered the antidotes of service and understanding to yourself."
Anger welled up in the young bride, "But you have lied and cheated me!" she said. "How so? " replied the apothecary. "You told me my mother-in-law would be dead within the month," cried the young bride.
"Have patience," said the apothecary. "Reflect back on my words. Did I say that your mother-in-law would die or did I say that the woman you knew would be no more?"
The young woman bowed her head. "I am humbled!" she said. "And it is I who have cheated you. Ask what you will and if I am able I will pay it."
"I only ask , said the apothecary, that you continue to serve and understand she who has given you the greatest gift one can give another, a son."