31 Aug Hurting People, Hurt People
I can’t remember whose quote this is, but it has resonated with me a lot lately. One of the greatest things I have learned in ministry and in my life as a Christian is that I need to forgive. I won’t take the time to list the multitude of Scriptures pertaining to forgiveness, but will say that it is a foundational truth in the Word of God. I have hurt a lot of people in my day and have been hurt many times myself. I have asked for forgiveness and I have forgiven. But as much as we feel that forgiveness abdicates the offender what they have done, I have realized that when I forgive it is a help to me…forgiveness gives me peace and clarity.
When I am hurting, whether it is because I have been hurt by someone or because I have sin in my life, I tend to lash out. Though inexcusable, it is completely natural. It is this natural man that we all struggle with everyday. When we born again as Christians, God made us a new creature in Christ, and we are to reckon ourselves dead to sin and walk in newness of life. So we put our flesh under subjection and we walk in the spirit as to not fulfill its lusts. It is a battle that wars in our members every day of our life. I pray everyday that I can forgive, like Christ has forgiven me…
Mark Twain said, “Forgiveness is the fragrance the violet sheds on the heel that has crushed it.” I like that…Forgiveness is me giving up my right to hurt you for hurting me! I am so thankful for the grace and mercy of God…Let us all make a conscious decision to not hurt…when we have been hurt.
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