Forgiveness

Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. (‭Colossians‬ ‭3‬:‭13‬ NIV)

Well, this is pretty difficult.. Am I right? Yes!  Well it is, yes even for me. Even writing this entry I am  finding, is somewhat difficult,  Lord, please help me to formulate the words you want me to type out. Ok, here goes....I would think that for that select group, of people, there may be those who are not the forgiving type. If they are placed in a position where others have wronged them somehow, I would venture to guess the person who should be the forgiver would most likely have difficulty playing that role, especially if the act that was done against the other person was like that of a minor crime that was done?   You know what I mean?

Anyhow, this verse is saying to bear with each other and forgive each other. I don't know about you but I really find that difficult sometimes.  Especially if the person has no remorse or is even sorry. But, I've heard from my pastor that it doesn't matter if the other person apologizes to you or not.

Believe  me I know you really would like to hear an apology, but sometimes he or she doesn't apologize.  Either,  because they aren't even aware they wronged you, or they just don't want to apologize, or whatever reason they may have. It does not matter. We just have to, for lack of a better phrase, suck it up and be the obedient one and forgive.

Do I always do that? To that I type a loud 'NO'. But, I know I should though. Ok, let me share an example.  Someone wronged me one time, and it took awhile for me to be forgiving.  I mean a long while. I believe The Lord spoke to my heart and said to stop the 'hating.' I was always nice and civil with this person.  Thank God for blessing me with good acting skills right? Well, kind of right?

See, the Lord made me realize what I was doing was so wrong.  So. one day I remember giving all my feelings of hatred, bitterness and hurt to God and praying that He would replace those feelings with love for this person. Now, believe me it's not a rapid change,  I truly believe that every now and then the evil one will pop things in my mind that will remind me of the hatred. I have to renounce him from my thoughts and I tell ya the evil one does not like to hear that! I mean the hearing of calling out the Armor of God that the true believers always have on them! ( The Armor of God--- will be another entry stay tuned!) With, the Armor of God and the name Jesus, evil leaves! Amen!

The second part of that verse should also be an eye opener! "...as The Lord forgave you!"  I truly believe that if you invite Jesus into your heart, and acknowledge Him as your Lord and Savior, thank him for dying and forgiving you of your sins, you are forgiven and assured of eternity in Heaven! You believe that?

And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life. (‭1 John‬ ‭5‬:‭11-12‬ NIV)

Overall,  I really should take my own advice when it comes to forgiveness.  I really find it difficult sometimes when I find myself in those types of predicaments when forgiveness should be immediately offered to other people. I hope this entry is helpful. :)