Forgiven

Lack of forgiveness, at times, is directly linked with pride. I never want to be known as someone who doesn't forgive. If you've hurt me in the past, I want to extend the same kind of grace to you as I would ask you to give me. Also I've decided to consider something that Johnny said at Day 1 on Saturday. I know nothing. If you've told me something about someone else, it doesn't matter if it's true or not, I'm going to pretend I didn't hear it. Sure it is a little difficult to altogether pretend you didn't hear something that you really in fact did hear, but I'm choosing to treat people as if I did not hear something about them. Johnny mentioned from personal experience, that similar behavior made friendships suffer, and I value my friendships far too much to contribute to that kind of division. Maybe it's crazy to think that I can just pray a simple "God, take this from me, make it never come back" and that it'll never come up, but I believe that God is a very big God and that doubt will only make me less confident in God's power. My doubt doesn't, in any way, make God less powerful.

God commands us to forgive. Matthew 6:14 says "For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins."

So then for a little encouragement I've read Psalm 103:8-12. "The Lord is compassionate and gracious; slow to anger, abounding in love. He will not always accuse, nor will he harbor his anger forever; he does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us."

It's been a sin that God's working on me with that I've judged the actions of my friends, I've harbored bitterness toward people for the things they've done. I'm sharing this only because I hope that if you have been dealing with similar issues that you will not continue with that behavior. God desires us to live peaceably with everyone whenever you can. I like what Romans 12:18 says "If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone".