But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! Matthew 5:44 NLT
– Lord
You’ve got to be kidding me! After what THEY did to me! You really expect me to forgive
– But, You see what happened Lord. You heard. Did you miss my tears, my hurt, me being wronged?! Now you’re telling me I must forgive that, that horrid excuse for humanity!
* Are you certain you want to go there? You’re running the risk of further disappointing me. Because name calling reflects that you’re now about to say things you might regret. Remenber Cain? He was upset with his brother, would not let go of his hurt and anger despite me warning that sin was at his door. Next thing he was a branded murderer …
– But Lord, I’m not thinking murder. First of all, I’m venting. And if I can’t vent to you, then who? And after what was done to me, I really believe that you need to intervene. Seriously you need to take this on soon. Behavior like that is wrong. Are you really going to allow me to be hurt like that and do nothing?
Let’s talk about how you’ve been hurt. But before we have that conversation, let’s draw the curtain back a few weeks … when you were the one in the wrong! When you were due to be punished … How should I treat that now?
– But THAT’S different Lord. You see …
* Different. It’s all the same for me. You’re BOTH my children. You BOTH have been in the wrong. You’ve both hurt me. In fact, YOUR infraction …
– I’m not sure how we ended up here Lord. I prayed after you convicted me. YOU assured me that we were good again. Now you’re bringing it up! Really Lord! I mean, really!
- Actually. You brought it up.
– Me Lord? I’m not sure you have this right. I’m not trying to be rude to you or anything y’know Lord, but we were talking about my being hurt by your, your; Your CHILD! WE weren’t talking about my past infraction which we’ve long discussed. Ah ah. I don’t walk and look for fresh punishment for past sins.
- True. But you forgot that we are talking about Forgiveness. And if you won’t let go of this, you’ve just told me that your infraction must not be forgiven either … Remember saying this to me earlier “And forgive our debts AS WE FORGIVE our debtors”? Or we you lying then?
– Oh. No. But.
Oh. Uhm;
oh.
So where does that leave me now? I didn’t even receive an apology.
- Do you REALLY want to go there? You sure about that
– But, but … But
Well. Uhm
It hurts Lord. It hurts like He – sorry Lord.
- I know it hurts. Imagine me on the Cross, physically pained, emotionally battered, becoming the final scapegoat for the world. Knowing that many will never stop to say thanks, or ever apologize.
It hurts a lot. Knowing that after ALL I bore, many will remain unforgiving, while still claiming me as Lord of their lives. Yes. It hurts. But I CHOSE to forgive. And I rose from the dead to prove it.
– Ouch.
That hurt Lord. But I get what you’re saying. I have to think about this Forgiveness thing. It’s not easy. I don’t know if I can do this …
- You CAN’T. But I CAN. Hand it over to me. EVERY TIME. Confess that you need my help. My strength is perfected in your weakness. Lean on me. In me you can.
– And love despite the hurt?
– N-not really. Okay. No
Alright Lord. I hear you. I need your help Lord. And, forgive me of my unforgiveness please.
Selah
In Christ
