Playing in the Garbage
God has been dealing with me about taking offense. I don’t mean in the sports sense by attempting to score or make a play; I mean in refusing to grant forgiveness, in holding grudges, in dwelling on injuries, intentional or not. The Bible has much to say on it, and yet I’ve found I tend to hang on to memories of long-ago wrongs that the enemy uses to intrude upon my present prayer-life and worship. There are even stories rehearsed in my family from decades past that serve no purpose except to rationalize why we don’t enjoy fellowship with this person or that one. Forgiveness is required. If a believer or an unbeliever has wronged us, it is an opportunity for a work of grace—in us, in them. The Amplified versions of the Lord’s Prayer says in part, “And forgive us our debts as we also have forgiven (left, remitted and let go of the debts and have given up resentment against) our debtors” (Matthew 6:12 AMP my emphasis). I know in my heart that in giving up resentment and offense, I do not rehash or rehearse the insult or problem to others or even with myself like a dog worrying with an old bone. I’ve noticed it can become an entertainment of sorts, the POOR ME hour with myself as the featured star and commentator. What a waste of time and mental resources! And I have fewer and fewer moments and mental strengths to squander!
A following verse says, “For if you forgive people their trespasses [their reckless and willful sins leaving them and letting go and giving up resentment], your heavenly Father will also forgive you” Matthew 6: 14 AMP).
It’s like this. Farm dogs love to smell out gross stuff and bring it into the yard. It’s not unusual to step out of the back door in hunting season to the aroma of a partially decomposed deer carcass. I try to think of offenses like that. We have no right to dig up smelly things from the past if we have been redeemed. It was cute when our toddlers overturned a wastebasket and played in the middle of the mess. It would not be amusing to see a grown child do the same thing. But isn’t that what we look like to God when we press replay on the record of evil done to us? God says he doesn’t remember our sins, so we must not resurrect the sins of others. I am so weary of God’s people getting offended with God’s people. What kind of message does that send to a lost and dying world? It’s time those of us in the family of God move on and move up to higher ground. Yes, we’ve been hurt. God cares. Can’t we forgive like Jesus who said “Father, forgive them” from the cross as He died?
I also know that as surely as I write these thoughts down, the enemy is going to tease me with an unproductive, self-destructive dredging mission. How do I fight it? With the Word.
“A person’s wisdom yields patience; it is to one’s glory to overlook an offense” (Proverbs 19:11)
“A brother offended is more unyielding than a strong city and quarreling is like the bars of a castle” (Proverbs 18:19).
“Know this my beloved brothers, let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger” (James 1:19).
I want forgiveness. I need forgiveness, I need it because I make mistakes every day. I cry out to you God for help in this area. I desire to please you. I don’t want any unforgiveness to keep my prayers from being answered.
So true Luwana; we need to forgive as we have been forgiven. Sometimes it is hard, yet it is also very freeing.
What a great post! And I loved the analogy of the dog dragging the deer carcass! Boy, have I drug some carcasses around with me over the years. But thankfully because of God’s Grace extended to me, I can do the same for others.