Have you ever noticed how miserable some people are? Sometimes
it is caused by being long on memory and imagination and short
on love and forgiveness. In fact, most of the time that is the
case. If a person chooses to remember every unkind or
thoughtless word or deed whether real or imagined, that person
will be miserable. Either confront the issue head on
(Matt.18:15f)
or
forget it. If it is not worth confronting in the manner Jesus
instructed, then it is not worth holding to one’s own misery.
Forgiveness is also one of the great medicines where we do
ourselves a big favor. The other person is likely oblivious to
the issue.
To
harbor grudges, to cultivate malice toward others, to refuse to
forgive, is going to hurt us far more than the one toward whom
our ill feelings have been directed. Here are a few helpful ways
to deal with ill feelings:
1.
Spend time daily confronting your own weaknesses before the Lord
and listen to Him through the Bible in daily reading and
meditation. You will see your own weaknesses more clearly. This
will often soften the way you look at others.
2.
Pray to God for your forgiveness when you look at what your sins
did to Jesus in nailing Him to the cross. Yes, you were there in
attitude and in sinfulness.
3.
Realize what it cost God to forgive you.
(Matt.18:21-35)
4.
Realize how costly it is to have an unforgiving spirit when you
are forgiven so much.
5.
Leave vengeance in God’s hands. He will repay what needs
repaying. You don’t get to handle that.
Talk to God about this burden you are carrying. But, listen to
what His word is telling you to do about it. A grudge is
bitterness, and it will destroy you and your potential for good
now and forever. That is a high price to pay for something you
can control through Christ who strengthens
(Phil.4:13).
Other Articles
by Terry W. Benton.
It's Just Me
Extremist Cult
Subjective Spirit Leading
These Things Became Our Examples
The Pharisee Shield
Review of Radical Restoration Chapter
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