How to Forgive SomeoneWritten by Copy For Sale
We’ve all heard saying, “You have to forgive, but you don’t have to forget.” I won’t refute that, but you have to agree that a lot of people use that excuse to never ‘really’ forgive at all. Are you one of those people? Let’s rephrase it a little. “You have to forgive…and you have to forget anger, pain, anxiety, and everything else that comes with someone sinning against you. But you don’t have to make yourself a target (even though Jesus did).” Sound a little more difficult? This is really Christian way of life, and it’s going to be difficult. No one promised you would enjoy it. So we’ll start with forgiveness. This is where you have most control, because it’s an act of will. You have to decide to forgive, and then do it. Here’s a short list of what this involves: •No more daydreaming about your perpetrator’s pain and suffering. •Stop thinking about ‘what if’ outcomes, and accept what happened. •Start praying for person. Not for their punishment, not for them to see light…pray for their good and their soul. Say a simple Hail Mary, without meditating on one you’re praying for. Meditate on words, and dedicate it to your perpetrator. Let God decide how to reward or punish them. •If you can do something nice for person, do it without grumbling and without reminding them of what they did wrong. •Stop gossiping about them. •Every time you find yourself thinking about it, change subject. Think about starving kids in China, your financial problems, Baby Jesus…anything.Now that (believe it or not) is easy part. Now it comes time to deal with anger and pain. Sometimes it’s easy. But in cases of serious violation, or when someone hurts a loved one, very idea sounds idiotic. And no, you’ll never completely let go, but you can completely try. And you can start by using some of techniques listed above. You’ll probably have to take it further. You’ll have to swallow those emotions. Bury them deep. Yes, I’m going against what every therapist out there is preaching, but talking and sulking is no way to get over anything. You’ve had your period of pity; it’s time to move on. When you feel flame of anger building inside you, force it to back of your mind, and let it die. Don’t waste another second of your life stewing. It’ll take practice, but every day is another chance.
| | Love Them Into the ChurchWritten by Jessica Gerald (Pen Name)
1 John 4:7-12Sometimes even as Christians we tend to be judgemental or critical of someone who is not a believer or isn't as far in their Christian walk as others. We may look at a person's behavior in scorn. We may not even realize we do it, for we have no intention of hurting them. Even though my sons have been raised in church and brought up in a Christian home, at ages seventeen and twenty-one, God is definitely not finished with them yet. They're not perfect. They are also at a vulnerable age where they are questioning their faith, Bible, and beliefs which they have been taught. Thank God, we attend a church that is very kind and tolerant. The truth is preached, but sinners are welcomed, not condemned. I'm so glad, because right now it is an effort to even get them to go to church. If they thought people were going to gossip about them, judge them, or shun them because they are not measuring up, I don't think they would go at all.
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