If you see your enemy hungry, go buy him lunch; if he’s thirsty, bring him a drink. Your generosity will surprise him with goodness, and God will look after you. Proverbs 25:21-22 MSG

I developed a bad habit when I was growing up of putting myself down. My thinking was then it wouldn’t hurt so badly when the other kiddos made fun of me. I beat them to it.

But that created a constant scrutiny and negative attitude within. So in order to break free, I started changing what I said about myself and forced my mind to build new images.

I think this is more common than we might realize…the enemy is on the inside of me! And when left unchecked, the condition can prove fatal.

Amazingly, the same feelings of ridicule and rejection we feel toward somebody that we don’t get along with (an enemy) can translate into ill feelings toward ourselves in the areas we “don’t like.”

And as far as God is concerned, the right to draw up battle lines against ourselves or anybody else is sad, and quite frankly, just plain mean.

No matter how much that thing about you or that person gets on your nerves, there is rhyme and reason for it. And if you let Him, the One who loves you most will teach you marvelous things about yourself through the very things you cannot stand.

Like a fresh glass of iced tea in the summer is kindness toward an unkind situation. Pour a cupful of mercy toward others, and don’t forget to pour one for yourself!