Jim DeLoach tells the following story: “A little boy in a fit of anger shouted at his mother that he hated her. Then, perhaps fearing punishment, he ran to a steep cliff near their house and shouted into the valley, ‘I hate you, I hate you!’ Back from the valley came an echo, ‘I hate you, I hate you!’ Startled at this, the boy ran into the house and told his mother that there was a mean little boy who lived in the valley who shouted at him, ‘I hate you, I hate you!’

“His mother took him back to the hillside and told him to shout, ‘I love you, I love you!’

“When he did, back came the reply, ‘I love you, I love you!’”

What we project is what we get back. If we project hatred, hatred is what we will receive in return. If we project love, love is what we will receive in return. We do reap what we sow—even if it is eventually.

“Suggested prayer: “Dear God, when I am angry, hurt or afraid, help me to realize that these are my issues, and help me to deal with these creatively so I will always project love wherever I go. Thank You for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully in Jesus’s name. Amen.”

1. Galatians 6:7 (NIV).