Wow! what a question! Well I think we do because God tells us to and if we want to be obedient to Him we just have to! Ok that was easier said than done....now comes the hard part. I think we have to say it over and over and over again to ourselves. "I forgive you". Its not about the other person as much as its about you.
I have had some hurts that I've had to forgive over the years...some biggies. When I was a child I was hurt in a way no child should be hurt and I lived with that pain for many years later. Some people never get over that pain. I, by the grace of God, was able to forgive and get past it pretty quickly without causing considerable damage to myself and without going into a destructive path like so many people do in the same situation. I learned early on that God was with me in the midst of the evil that happened to me. He was actually there and never left me. Some people never get that and still blame God. For whatever reason I could never blame him. I understood early on that people have weaknesses and we live in a world of sin. I'm a stronger person and have a big strong God! I love Him so much and trust Him completely.
With each person that hurts you and betrays you the goal is to give it to God quickly. I really believe that. Pray for them, repeat to yourself "I forgive you" and don't dwell on it too much. Eventually the pain eases, the thoughts stop and when you run into them you can genuinly greet them. Do we have to allow them back and to enter our "sphere of safefy"? I don't think so....be careful or you will be pulled back into the pit. Pray for them.....Greet them.....but be cautious. Let God speak to you and lead you.
How do you handle forgiveness?
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