The Hurt, the Forgiveness, and the Party.
ByOnce upon a time there was someone who choose to hurt someone. That someone choose to forgive. Out of that forgiveness the someone who hurt choose to ask for forgiveness and restoration. The one who was hurt because he had already forgiven wrapped his arms around the someone who hurt and threw a party to celebrate the beginnings of reconcilation and restoration.
Lately GOd has been working on my heart. I have been dealing with hurt from my past. No I was not abused or anything like that! But in my life people have hurt me. How about you? I have seen my family and those I love be hurt deeply by circumstances, people, and life in general! Sometimes things are in our control, but often hurt is outside of our control!
I have learned that people can do some very hurtful things. One moment everything is okay and then true colors come out and they hurt you deeply. In fact I have discovered this last year that sometimes people hurt you without you knowing it! THen when it surfaces the hurt is so deep it is devastating. This is especially true when people are decieved, misled, confused,lonely,feel threatened, or fear – under such circumstance people can do some awful things.
I guess I would be rich if I could ever explain why people do what they do sometimes. SOmetimes I wish I could know what they were thinking…how could they make that decision, or do such a thing, or say such a thing etc. Why people hurt others is the million dollar question. But better yet, why people choose to hurt people is anohter question that I think can be answered. I beleive people hurt others because they cannot handle the truth. They place the blame on others, so not be hurt themselves. They hide from the truth, because facing the truth about ourselves can sometimes be painful. I also, believe hurting people hurt.
I must admit, I cannot solve why someone chooses to hurt, but I can give a solution to the pain…forgive!
Forgiveness does not mean we deny the hurt happened. Forgiveness means that we let it go! We truly forgive and choose not to hate or become bitter. Forgiveness means we do not let the hurt hold us in bondage. In fact forgiveness frees us to live and places the offender in bondage until they ask for the forgiveness that was already granted.
Additionally, forgiveness does not mean there are not consequences. SOme actions have consequences. If you have been hurt, all is not okay. Things cannot be as they use to be, right away. SOmeone who has hurt will hurt again…they must earn your trust back. In time this can be possible, but forgiveness does not mean we put down our guard or live in the denial of the hurt that was caused. ON the same not it does not mean we hold a grudge and do not allow the offender to try to make things right again.
We must understand that forgiveness allows us to move toward reconcilation and restoration. However, the reconcilation and restoration take two to make it a reality. So if you have been hurt…choose to forgive. Stand ready to do your part of reconcilation and restoration. Then when the offender asks forgiveness you are ready to move forward to restore the relationship.
Because I know taht hurting people hurt others…I do have pity and compassion on them! But that does not excuse their decisions to hurt or follow others who hurt.
I have learned that when you try to forgive and reconcile with people who hurt, the hurt lingers and you usually get hurt time and time again. Is it worth it? I sometimes wonder. But I do beleive Jesus told us to forgive more than once or twice…try about 70 X 7. In other words continue to forgive, no matter how difficult or painful the situation.
I know I am rambling…but life is a lesson…and I have been through one this last year. I CHOOSE TO FORGIVE! Man, does that feel good! I choose to forgive, I choose to love, I choose to be free. I know I have been hurt…but the hurt has made me a better person. I choose out of the forgiveness granted and freedom gained to stand ready to reconcile when those who have hurt me and those I love come admitting, confessing and repenting of the hurt they created and caused! What a day that will be, For all of Heaven rejoices when one sinner repents…will that day come? ONly GOd knows…but before GOd I stand ready to face all those who have hurt me and say I forgive you…and if they dare to take the step of returning…then I will greet them like the father of the prodigal son!
In the story I started with…the hurt does not win. THe hurt may linger, even for a life time. But teh forgiveness is greater. And if we really know the Bible then we realize that the party is grander than the hurt…so I am looking forward to the party.