LEARN TO SMILE AT YOUR ENEMY

In one of Greek writer Aristophanes’ plays, we find this line: “The wise can often profit by the lessons of an enemy.”¹ In other words, if you are smart you will gain knowledge from the difficulties that you face. The character in the play goes on to explain that you can learn things from an enemy you cannot acquire from a friend. After all, it’s our enemies that teach us to be cautious, to develop ways to protect ourselves so we are not so vulnerable into being fooled or misled.

While it is inadvisable to go out and deliberately make enemies, it is also naïve to think that we don’t have them. So instead of letting things in life that threaten our well-being, peace of mind, sense of security, and purpose for living cause us to be fearful and unwilling to go forward, use them to develop the necessary talent and abilities to survive victoriously.

That’s why on a spiritual level, the apostle James wrote to his friends: “My brothers and sisters, be very happy when you are tested in different ways. You know that such testing of your faith produces endurance. Endure until your testing is over. Then you will be mature and complete, and you won’t feel so helpless.”²