Have you ever taken advantage of something? Perhaps when something goes on sale, you take advantage of the sale because you didn't have the money to buy it before? Or perhaps you have done something worse, and taken advantage of a person. There are many ways to do this; and one common one is taking advantage of someone's kindness.
Maybe you dislike someone, but they don't see that, and are kind to you, and you go along with it, become their 'friend', then stab them in the back. Ok, so maybe not the most common scenario, but very realistic. It happens, and when it does, another heart is broken.
Another scenario, and one that is very worldly, but also true, and it happens:
You like someone, but can't get them to notice you. So, you think that maybe if you pretend you like someone else, they will. You find someone that is their friend, then tell them you like them, and so on. What makes it worse, is if that person already has a 'special friend', and then they feel torn if they also kind of like that person. So, after a very large conflict between friends, you finally leave to go to the person you were originally after, and leave the relationship almost broken between the two friends.
Now, step into the shoes of the person who has been fooled. Imagine how it would feel if you were to find out that it was all fake. That the person was just using you to get to someone else. I would feel awful. And angry...very angry. More angry then I have ever been. And that's where it becomes a problem. You want revenge. So, you think of something very hurtful to do back to them, that will expose them. Only thing is, it's public, so once you do it, yes, others will know what a jerk that person is, but also, you will have to live with what you did for the rest of your life. Because no matter how much someone has hurt you, Jesus tells us to forgive them. And it will NOT be easy, but would you rather live with the memory of publicly humiliating that person, and having everyone know, or would you rather live with having forgiven that person after a long time of cooling down? The more I think about it, the more I lean towards the second option. You may think "You wouldn't, because if you have ever been in that situation, you would know what it feels like."
Well, truth is, I DO know what it feels like. I have been in that situation, as the 'special friend' that had someone stolen from me. And it hurt. A lot. But I see where God tells us to forgive, and I start to feel...pity. Pity for the one who has done this to me and my friend.
So, no matter how hurtful someone has been to you, it's ALWAYS possible to forgive them. No matter what.
~A Reborn.
Hey!
ReplyDeleteThis is probably one of the best posts I have ever seen on this blog. :) It is indeed amazing... no matter what happens, no matter how hurt we get, we understand that no one can be trusted. Only God. Friends can hurt us, out loved ones will disappoint us, we put our hopes in and share our dreams with people... and we often end up disappointed. Only when we reach out to Jesus and ask Him for what we need is our trust in Him complete. Do you think that it could be true, "We hurt the most the ones we love the most?"
I was reading a book the other night- The Hiding Place, by Corrie Ten Boom. She and her sister were put into a concentration camp in WWII for hiding Jews in their house. While in the women's camp, they were overworked, and extremely abused, of course, and Corrie's sister, Betsie, died.
In later years, after Corrie was free, she was speaking at a church on the power of God's forgiveness, and one of the former SS officers was there, the one who had sent them to the camp. He said to her: "Isn't it amazing, the power of God's forgiveness?" and reached out his hand. No matter how she tried, Corrie could not reach out her hand to him. She couldn't move. She knew that she should, but she was unable to. So she prayed "Jesus, I can't forgive him. I can't do it. Give me your forgiveness." And instantly, her arm was lifted and shook his hand. I think it was the best thing I'd ever read in the world. :) Anyways, don't mean to ramble on, but i found meaning in your words! May blessing go with you and may forgiveness always prevail!!
~KnightRanger :)
Thanks. :) It came from the heart, and those always seem to be the best.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely! Although I have always been able to forgive people easily, this one was very tough, but I knew what was right, and after praying about it I realized that I could. I haven't seen the kid for a long time, but when I do, I doubt anything will happen like what I was planning to do before I forgave him. Those weren't pretty times, but God made things right. :)
That is truly amazing!
No, don't worry, I don't mind rambling if it has a purpose, and yours most definitely did. Thank you.
~A Reborn.