"A man's discretion makes him slow to anger, And it is his glory to overlook a transgression." Prov 19:11
We all know what it is like to be on the south side of a north bound relationship. Discrepancies, disagreements and disputes arise among our friendships and family relationships with what can be an annoying regularity. The effects can be anything from character building to relationship destroying.
In situations like these, it is easy to place blame on the other party. We can even draw comfort and confidence in feeling that we are right. The problem is that the relationship suffers. There is a real danger in losing something that is more valuable than we are willing to acknowledge at the moment.
Beloved, Paul once asked, "why not be wronged?" Sometimes it can serve both the greater good and the individuals involved to allow things to dissipate. Yes introspection is important. Apologies should be given and or received. Above all, forgiveness should be extended. But there are some cases when we just need to let it go. Ultimately, it is ourselves that we damage by holding grudges, retaining anger and plotting responses. Let us pursue peace with our friends, family and brethren. Let us pursue peace with God.
Loving Like Jesus,
Lee
Showing posts with label Forgetting. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Forgetting. Show all posts
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
Friday, February 4, 2011
Remembering to Forget-DD 2/4/2011
"Joseph named the firstborn Manasseh, "For," he said, "God has made me forget all my trouble and all my father's household." He named the second Ephraim, "For," he said, " God has made me fruitful in the land of my affliction." Gen 41:51-52
Most of us have a pretty good memory, especially regarding the details of times and places we have been wronged and the individuals who are responsible. We remember them so well in fact that we carry these memories around with us as if they provide us with some sort of comfort. We nurse these hurts as if they are somehow beneficial. In fact, they are not. They are in many ways, self imposed prisons bars that restrict our freedom of movement and kill our joy.
In order to lead full and happy lives, we must learn to forget past wrongs done to us, but how? Joseph's woes are well documented in scripture. He was betrayed by family, falsely accused by someones wife, thrown into jail and forced to endure the heartbreak of forgotten promises and separation from those he loved. If there was anyone who ever lived that had a right to be bitter and vindictive, it was Joseph.
But the scripture says that God helped him to forget. He put his faith in God rather than man. Ultimately, he was put in position to save a good portion of the civilized world from famine. In so doing, he was made to prosper.
Beloved, holding grudges only holds us back. We do ourselves more harm than the objects of our disdain. Yes, forgetting frees them from the prison in which you have placed them, but it also frees you. What others may have meant for evil, God may have planned for good.
Loving Like Jesus,
Lee
Most of us have a pretty good memory, especially regarding the details of times and places we have been wronged and the individuals who are responsible. We remember them so well in fact that we carry these memories around with us as if they provide us with some sort of comfort. We nurse these hurts as if they are somehow beneficial. In fact, they are not. They are in many ways, self imposed prisons bars that restrict our freedom of movement and kill our joy.
In order to lead full and happy lives, we must learn to forget past wrongs done to us, but how? Joseph's woes are well documented in scripture. He was betrayed by family, falsely accused by someones wife, thrown into jail and forced to endure the heartbreak of forgotten promises and separation from those he loved. If there was anyone who ever lived that had a right to be bitter and vindictive, it was Joseph.
But the scripture says that God helped him to forget. He put his faith in God rather than man. Ultimately, he was put in position to save a good portion of the civilized world from famine. In so doing, he was made to prosper.
Beloved, holding grudges only holds us back. We do ourselves more harm than the objects of our disdain. Yes, forgetting frees them from the prison in which you have placed them, but it also frees you. What others may have meant for evil, God may have planned for good.
Loving Like Jesus,
Lee
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)