Journal Entry January 18, 2004
“The Peter came to Jesus and asked, ‘Lord, how many times
shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me? Up to seven times?’ Jesus
answered, ‘I tell you, not seven times but seventy-seven times.’” Matthew
18:21-22 (NIV)
The issue of forgiveness is a thorny one at best. People
grow tired of being used and abused by their “friends” and “family.” They begin
to build walls between themselves and those who cause the hurt. Sometimes the
hurting ones feel they have to accept the stress and pain “because that’s the
way they are!” Others who are hurt live with the circumstances because “he or
she family.”
Jesus tells us through his reply to Peter that we have to
forgive not once, not twice, not even three or four times, but as many times as
it takes.
I can only forgive those who hurt me through Jesus. I say
this because I cannot confront those people because 1.) They don’t believe they
did anything wrong or anything to hurt me. Or 2.) They think they can do these
things because “that’s who I am.”
Right now, I have to ask Jesus to forgive those persons who
hurt me continually. I know they don’t even know their behavior causes me pain.
Father, please show me how I can do this forgiving when they
don’t know their part in hurting me. AMEN
UPDATE: I have learned that it takes a lot of grace to
forgive people continually. I believe I have made progress with this issue. I’m
not perfect but I have found it easier to ask God to deal with the problematic
thoughts of those around me. I learned this very well last month.
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