Discussion Topic
forgiveness and anger
Posted on 10/11/09, 01:05 pm
It has been my experience working with people that they do not forgive because they want to continue to entertain their anger. It is almost like a status, this anger. Can one forgive without giving up anger? I know that we must forgive. That is a must. Be ye angry and sin not. So, can it be done? If so does it have to happen? I've my thoughts but would ask yours. thank you. Praise God....always
Steven
Steven
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Reply #1 10/11/09 9:15pm
I will never forgive my rapist. Am I angry? Sometimes I still get angry. I was angry at him for a while, then at God, then at myself, now I resent what he took from me and will never forgive him for that. -
Reply #2 10/11/09 10:28pm
M't:6:12: And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
M't:6:14: For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you:
M't:6:15: But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. -
Reply #3 10/11/09 11:12pm
Stillcruzn....
Romans is great for comforting us when we are persecuted by bad people.
And this is just one example......
Romans 12 v 19 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.
20 Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.
21 Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.
I just think that's so cool, God saying He is going to avenge us. It should also give us comfort too. And this will be done at ressurection. -
Reply #4 10/12/09 12:10am
Moorea, yes they are comforting however the bible also states that if you ask for forgiveness you will be given it so does that mean that if he asks God for forgiveness will he get it and if he does where does that leave me? When we get to the Kingdom of God will he be there to greet me and wether this is right or wrong, that's just not fair. -
Reply #5 10/12/09 10:19am
Stillcruzn,
You said:
"When we get to the Kingdom of God will he be there to greet me and wether this is right or wrong, that's just not fair."
You obviously were hurt terribly by your incident and rightfully so. However, if your assailant is there with you in the next life then it will be fair that he is there just as much as you are. God died for sinners and not for the well behaved. Jesus died upon the cross bearing the sins of the world. How was that fair when He committed no sin?? It was mankind that offended God but it was God that died for your sin so that you could be forgiven. I fail to see where I can say that it is fair that God saves me as though I am worth it by my actions.
The apostle Paul before he was an apostle KILLED Christians. Do you think that the saints he killed will be angry with him in the life to come?? Do you think they will be complaining to God, "This isn't fair having him here too"?? No, they will greet him with open arms. The Pharisees were the ones in a story to be shown that they would be the ones that wouldn't consider it fair that they can received the same wage as someone that was just hired on. They were shown in the story about the prodigal son to be the ones that would be bitter about some man that squandered his inheritance but yet His loving Father embraced him throwing a party. If your offended party came to Christ for forgiveness then all of his sins have been pardoned. God could forgive you so I know that you could forgive him but are unwilling. You obviously cannot forget as we are all human but you can forgive. Christ forgave you of how many sins??? If Christ could forgive those that spit upon Him, whipped Him, mocked Him and then nailed Him to the cross to die naked before a crowd then are you really saying that what happened to you was worse than what happened to Christ??? You can forgive.
I believe your attacker, if saved, should make peace with you. I doubt that he could as he has offended you very deeply. I don't know the situation as he clearly could have been prosecuted for breaking the law. Just remember, your anger and unforgiving spirit toward this person will cause that horrific event to replay in your mind as long as you live. He has a grip on you that he right now probably doesn't even realize. Is it worth it?? Of course you cannot get back what he has taken from you but will holding onto your anger do it for you instead?
Things to ponder. Un-forgiveness has no justification in NT believers. This problem cannot go away over night but I do believe the more you ponder grace and what God has forgiven you of then this jerk that offended you deeply will probably be seen in a totally different light where you can forgive him. -
Reply #6 10/12/09 5:37pm
Yes everything you say is true but I just feel ill when I relate forgiveness and him in the same sentence. Maybe I'm just not ready yet. Thanks. -
Reply #7 10/13/09 9:30am
Sometimes people use anger as a defense mechanism, to protect themselves. But I believe that we cannot forgive and still be angry, because before you are able to forgive you must be able to make peace with that person and your feelings. And thanks to Moorea944 for pointing Romans out. I read the Bible but sometimes, I only notice things when people point it out. Thanks. -
Reply #8 10/13/09 3:11pm
I have had to point out to some clients that if they want an apology, they must be ready to forgive. To many want to hold on to that anger. Anger must serve a purpose or it would not be there. We, I think, can only be offended when we are being "self" focused. "Well what about me?" It we remain "God" focused then forgiveness is right there for us to use so we can continue to feel joy, peace and all the goodness that God has for us. The Devil is quite busy separating us from the Lord and he is good at it. Very good at it. Too good at it. A lot of bad stuff can happen to us and when we are so "self" focused, it can cause us to separate us from the Lord. I may be corrected here but it is my understanding that hell is eternal separation from God. God forbid. Praise God...always. -
Reply #9 10/14/09 12:56pm
Ec:3:11: He hath made every thing beautiful in his time: also he hath set the world in their heart, so that no man can find out the work that God maketh from the beginning to the end. -
Reply #10 10/14/09 1:39pm
VANITY OF VANITIES, ALL IS VANITY.
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