Fishbowl Thursday’s Vol 2

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I’m sitting at my desk on a Wednesday morning (obviously in front of a computer) trying to write about forgiveness without thinking of my own shortcomings.  I don’t think it’s possible. The fact is, I struggle with lots of things in my life.  I’ve lied, cheated, stolen, lusted, said stupid things, been angry in ungodly ways, blamed others for my mistakes, and oh so much more!  I’m not using you all as therapy, but I think it’s important for us to realize that people make mistakes of all shapes and sizes – and yes, unfortunately, that includes us!

That being said, forgiveness is a serious struggle in our world.  We like to hold grudges because it makes us feel powerful!  We don’t like to forgive because we’re afraid it will make us feel weak.  However, to make things clear, God’s Word talks about forgiveness, and God never stutters.  Read Mark 11:25, Matthew 6:15, and Psalm 103:10-13.  God wants us to forgive others because it clears the path for us to experience His forgiveness. Let’s be clear – Our forgiveness of others or lack thereof doesn’t dictate God’s ability to forgive us.  He IS capable of forgiving us no matter what we do – after all He is God.  However, we won’t experience that forgiveness and receive the ability to move on from our mistakes as long as we are holding onto the pain and anger from something someone did to us.

Here are the 8 things we talked about last Thursday night in relation to forgiveness:

  1. Acknowledge you’ve been hurt
  2. Think through that hurt – journal
  3. Put yourself in the other person’s shoes – what are they going through right now that could cause them to act, talk, or think the way they are?
  4. Remember, God forgave you so we have no right to hold onto something someone else did
  5. God commands us to forgive – see the verses above
  6. Let go of the pain and hurt – go to the person involved if possible
  7. Continue to forgive – It probably won’t be all better overnight – it may take you saying it over and over again in your head (or even out loud) “I forgive you for…”
  8. Pray for the other person – you CANNOT be angry at someone and pray for them at the same time

The practice of these things is much more difficult than writing them or reading them.  I’m praying for you to forgive today like we all have been forgiven!

WG

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