When trouble lies ahead
And evil shows its face,
I am urged to retribution,
But fight a different war.
I do not consider them enemies,
Yet they find me as one
Without knowing my background,
My life, or my mind.
I need help to love my adversaries.
It is so easy for us to hate.
Let me remove myself from the conflict
So I can see it from the outside.
I want to understand them
And see their point of view -
How difficult their circumstances
That forces them to lash out.
Let me feel compassion
For mindsets unlike my own.
Where I have misgivings,
To be brave and show trust.
Let me extend my hand first
To join my wounds to theirs.
All of us are hurting
And all in need of love.
May all of us find the goodness
So that no more harm is done.
If we can see truth illuminated
Community becomes one.
Clara Klein is a Christian writer, authoring poetry and prose that looks for inspirational ways to deal with life’s challenges. She has written for Agape Review, Pure in Heart, God and Nature, and other Christian publications.