I remember in the 2nd grade a kid named Richard who was always getting in trouble. In fact, his desk was either at the front of the class next to the chalkboard or right next to the teachers desk.
One day, we had spaghetti and meatballs for school lunch. After lunch was over, our teacher, Mrs. Henderson turned the lights off and started a film - I believe it was "Curious George."
That's when the great injustice happened! Richard (who apparently had hung onto a meatball) threw a meatball across the room and hit me in the side of the face. It really hurt! I was so startled and in pain that I yelled out loud and stood to my feet. Mrs. Henderson told me to sit down and gave me a stern warning to be quiet. I raised my hand and tried to explain to her that Richard had threw a meatball and hit me in the face. It's as if she didn't care.
I was so upset! Richard just sat there laughing! It made me so angry! I shot him the dirtiest look that I could and envisioned beating him up after school that day. However, after the bell rang, Mrs. Henderson told me to stay in my seat so she could speak with me. Richard was out the door and long gone by the time I got done cleaning the chalkboards.
From that point forward I literally daydreamed about how I could get even with Richard. He had hurt me...someone needed to make him pay...and that someone was going to be me! I found myself HATING him because he had caused me some pain and he OWED me big time!
I never got the chance to get even! Richard and his family moved away that summer and I haven't seen him since! I look back on this and LAUGH now! I was so focused on getting revenge. I wanted him to HURT because he HURT me...and because of that I wasted a lot of time.
How about you? Is there a "Richard" in your life? Is there someone who has caused you pain, someone who hurt you and all you can think about is hurting them back? Seriously, is there someone you just hope you can see coming towards you on their knees one day, begging your forgiveness and you just laugh at them? Is there someone who you actually want to see suffer?
If so...then you are way off base and definitely not Christlike. If you claim to be a Christian then this is an attitude that you and I simply cannot have. Check out this passage...
- Matthew 6:14-15 "For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses."
Have you ever had a conversation in your mind where you see yourself winning and your enemies losing and you're feeling better about yourself? Is that what a walk with Christ is all about? NO!
We are called to FORGIVE!! I know the argument, "Hey...they don't deserve to be forgiven!" Well, neither did you!!! We don't EARN God's forgiveness...He gives it to us...it's called GRACE...and just as we are quick to receive God's grace - we need to be quick to extend it as well.
Perhaps this is hard for you to hear right now. You have some serious situations in your past in which someone caused you some SERIOUS pain...but you can't continue to hold onto bitterness and anger because it's KILLING your JOY!
Being mad at someone and expecting it to hurt THEM is the same as drinking poison and expecting it to kill someone else!!!
How do you let go of anger? It's a daily decision! I have had people in my past that I have had to forgive...and the enemy will often bring that person back up in my mind - and so there are times when I literally have to say out loud, "That person does not owe me...I have forgiven them."
As long as you feel like someone owes you something due to the pain in your past - you will always be frustrated and miserable in your walk with Christ.
Jesus said in John 19:30, "It is FINISHED!" We need to follow His example by saying the same thing about those who have hurt us - "It is finished, you don't owe me anymore...I am letting the debt of wrongdoing go!!!"
Anyone you need to forgive?
