Returning To The Vomit
Posted by Ryan Geiger on February 24, 2010 · 5 Comments
There is this verse that I don’t like in the Bible. Romans 12:19, “Don’t insist on getting even; that’s not for you to do. I’ll do the judging, says God. I’ll take care of it.” But God it is easier for me to take care of it and I do believe it is more fun. Luke chapter 6 tells us, “Forgive and you will be forgiven.” Forgiveness on the surface appears to be very easy but at the root it is very difficult. I am currently on this journey with God where I am forgiving those who have hurt, betrayed or even destroyed my reputation even if they greet that forgiveness with smugness and skepticism. Here are a few things I am learning.
- I don’t know if the forgiveness is as much for them as it is for me. I am truly setting myself free.
- Forgiveness is painful because it requires you to face your past and your past choices.
- In many cases they may not even believe they did something wrong but that’s not the point.
- Forgiveness requires that we are happy for them not in their failures but in their success.
- Forgiveness may mean that you walk away still feeling it is unresolved from their end.
- Forgiveness gives us hope.
- We forgive not because it feels good or right but because Christ forgave us.
- We are all like children when it comes to forgiveness and non of us have it figured out.
I’m on this journey and at times it is uncomfortable but I know it is completely necessary. All I can do is release them it is up to them to offer the forgiveness or accept the forgiveness. The reality is that our past shapes who we are today but forgiveness will shape who we are tomorrow.
I’m on this same journey, and it is soooo difficult. The main problem is me; I feel my resentment is justified. Thanks for reminder that it’s better to forgive and be free than be right and stuck in a rut.
Bev thanks for comment. I feel my resentment is justified as well. Seriously hard to live this stuff out. Ironically after I posted yesterday, I now have to deal with my problem as they did not respond the way I felt they should after all these years. Thanks God for this little life lesson…I need to be careful what I post.
Keep sharing it’s encouraging to everyone who reads.
I think of all of life’s lessons, forgiveness is by far the toughest. God has been working on me on this one as well. I wish I knew then what I know now in raising my daughter. How many times did I teach her to say sorry or it is okay if someone said sorry, but that is just ettiquette. I read a book called Think No Evil about the Amish school shootings. The Amish have trained the children for centuries to never allow anger to reside in their heart…to immediately forgive to prevent the root of bitterness. It gave me a lot to think about!
I mentioned during bible study that I had a hard time with this series, so Nancy was kind enough to forward your blog. Ryan I can relate to the “response” issue. I’m not sure what I need, but I haven’t gotten the response I want yet. I am being completely bull headed and stubborn in letting this message in. I feel I have been wronged and hurt so often that if I forgive it will show weakness and send a message that its okay to do it again. I have a lot of resentment and know that it’s harming me more than anyone to hold it in and let it fester. It’s very hard for me not to show my resentment when a similar issue arises. I know I shouldn’t. I know it will only create tension and cause pain, but with everything I have I can’t stop it from coming out of my mouth. Now I become the one who causes hurt and then I feel bad. Who needs forgiveness now? This is a very tough issue–I need a lot of help if I want to feel peace and truly forgive. wow, did I just share all that.
Michele I appreciate your candidness and to be honest I think this is something that everyone struggles with but may not articulate like you did. I do understand when you say that it may appear as weakness but it’s in our weakness that Christ is strong. It is difficult and I have no clue your situation but this will continue to haunt you and keep you from reaching God greatness if you hold onto it. Baby steps. Nobody likes to hear that especially me but the truth is not forgiving hurts you more than anybody. Thanks for your willingness to share this and I will pray for you today that God will help you to break out of that mold that holds you back.