Extend forgiveness, even when it is undeserved

HELLO MI neighbour! Could your relationship with your neighbours use a top-up to make it a more enjoyable one? Whose wouldn’t? Hello, I am aware that some neighbours can be a real pain in the neck, and sensible people would rather avoid them for peace sake. Right. But, that could have negative implications! You see, human beings were made for one another, and do need one another. No man is an island. Invariably, the time comes when we find ourselves in dire need of assistance from a neighbour. Makes sense, therefore, that we swallow our pride and build a good relationship with those around us.

There’s no better way to build a good relationship with neighbours of all sorts than to love them as much as ourselves. Say what!! Yes, and I mean it. That’s what the Master taught. What else would help maintain peace between neighbours, especially the warrior type? Loving them helps us to overlook their flaws, failings, and disgusting faults. That’s huge. Yes, and this love is hugh enough to crush all the those problems that hate can create.

Here are some of what love does for you:

• It boosts longevity. Research suggests that people who love tend to live longer, due to the resultant improvement in their mental and physical health.

• It is a natural painkiller, releasing endorphins and other feel-good hormones.

• Love reduces stress, lowers depression, improves overall mental well-being, and helps to heal wounds faster as mood is improved.

• Love makes you look younger by releasing hormones such as estrogen and testosterone, which contribute to youthful looks and vitality.

And hear this, love gives the voice a special kind of sweetness, coupled with an overpowering, velvety timber as young lovers connect with each. Nice.

The manual of manuals teaches that we should “Let no one seek his own good, but the good of his neighbour”. We are to be selfless and always consider the needs of others above our own. Really? Yes. Our Creator, who knows us best and always wants the best for us, says that’s the best way to live. Whenever we obey Him in this regard, it means that we have His interest at heart, and He will cause everything else to work in our best interest.

The good we do unto others will yield bountiful harvest of goodies for us.

Listen to the Golden Rule: “So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them. Loving our neighbour as ourselves is the fulfillment of the Law of God. This is acceptable and pleasing to Him”!

Our manual teaches, “Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God”. True love does not have its source in the human heart; on its own, humanity will always choose to be selfish and self-serving. True love that changes lives and seeks the good of others before self comes only from God!

God explicitly commands this kind of love which abhors vengeance against another human being. “You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against the sons of your own people, but you shall love your neighbour as yourself.”

Some cultures condone, and even encourage, vengeance and retaliation when wrong is done to one. If you do not take revenge, you are considered weak and unworthy. However, God commands us not to take vengeance/matters into our own hands. By loving others, we extend forgiveness even when it is undeserved, and God rewards.

So would you like to top up your relationship with your neighbours to make it a more enjoyable and productive one? Yes? Adhere to God’s instructions outlined above, and be happy with your neighbours for the rest of your life. Trus’ mi … no, trust God.

KINDLY HELP SOMEONE FROM LIST BELOW

1. Neighbour needs help with renovation of bathroom; also needs a wheelchair.

2. Bro Moses, St Catherine, badly in need of a stove.

3. Veronica, St Catherine, an unemployed amputee asking for food and financial assistance just to live.

To help, please call Silton Townsend @ 876 649-9636 or deposit in acct # 351 044 276 NCB. Alternatively, send donations to HELLO NEIGHBOUR C/o 53 Half-Way Tree Road, Kingston 10; Paypal/credit card: email: zicron22@yahoo.com. Contact email: helloneighbour@yahoo.com. Visit hellomineighbourja.blogspot.com. Townsend exclusively manages the collections and distributions mentioned in this column and is neither an employee nor agent of The Gleaner.