It’s Supposed to be that Way
February 23, 2020Only You Can Prevent Gossip Fires
February 26, 2020Don’t you just hate it when leftovers get buried in the back of the refrigerator and start to smell? A forgotten Tupperware treasure turns nasty and defiles other food. The more time passes the more the mold grows. Similarly, pain not forgiven sours into revenge. And if that lid is ever lifted, the stench of old decaying hurt will knock you back!
Relationships at home or work are spoiled when we don’t confront harmful behaviour. The Proverbs warn us, “don’t say, “Now I can pay them back for what they’ve done to me! I’ll get even with them!” Offense not forgiven can lead to bitterness. That desire for revenge rots the soul.
The only way not to say those words and not to want revenge is to completely forgive. True forgiveness removes the inward “need” or desire to hurt someone because they hurt you. And that’s not easy!
Biblical forgiveness is total absolution of the past. When you truly forgive someone, the thought of the painful action doesn’t bring pain. God’s idea of forgiveness leads to indifference towards the other person and the event. Indifference means that there’s not even a slight tingling of annoyance anymore. This is the goal of Godly forgiveness.
By showing mercy is the only way we can live without any desire for vengeance. (Does anything or anyone in your past still upset you? If so then maybe you have not shown total forgiveness.)
Let this short passage from the Proverbs help you today. Forgive. Let go of that desire to hurt others because they hurt you. Release those painful feelings and stop revenge from spoiling your life. Proverbs 24:29, “don’t say, “Now I can pay them back for what they’ve done to me! I’ll get even with them!”
