Christianity Oasis Forum

[diasgang]

Okay I am on day 4 of the 14 day study and it is on forgiving yourself and others unconditionally. I understand all of that and what the scripture teaches but it is very difficult. For instance: As mentioned before my son had a job two years ago. It was a good paying job at the district that I work. I believe he was fired unjustly. I tried to talk to his supervisor but was unable since he was 18 years old. I say in my heart that I forgive that person but then every time that I think about it, I find myself getting angry about it. The principal of the school he worked at attends my church ocassionally. Sometimes I want to go to her and yell at her. I don't since I know that nothing good would come from it. How do I truly forgive to the point where I no longer feel angry about it? Here is an even larger scenario. My pastor's son in law was accused of abusing their foster children (they were planning on adopting them) and the social worker came and took the children away. This happened two years ago. They fought to get the children back but to no avail. To make matters worse the state pressed charges against the son in law for the abuse. Everyone who was involved are convinced the charges were trumped up but because of some high powered lawyers, he was found guilty and will have to spend some time in jail. I do not know all of the details but every time I think about what transpired, I get angry at the entire system and I am not even related to this man. And so I am asking, "How do you forgive and forget?" I realize that Jesus forgives all sins but I am not Jesus (thank God). I get so angry with so many unjust things that take place in our world. The Bible tells us to be angry and sin not. I am not sure how to do that either. My anger is not always pure. Thanks for listening
Paul

[Mackenaw]

Hello Diasgang

God bless you this day, and welcome to Christianity Oasis.

You asked:

How do I truly forgive to the point where I no longer feel angry about it?

The answer is, for each time the thought of the offense comes to the forefront of your mind, you say I have forgiven them in the name of Jesus, and then you say a prayer for that person, and you thank The Lord, and you move on.

Your anger comes forth from your old nature...the carnal nature, however, if you respond in your new nature in Christ, believing that The Lord has made you NEW, and you pick up your cross, and desire The Lord's peace over and above your old nature's desire to be angry...you will indeed overcome through Christ.

II Corinthians 10:3-6
3) For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh:
4) (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)
5) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;
6) And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled.

Take every thought captive...the moment you realize you are repeating the same old stories of defeat about yourself or your sons or even your wife, stop and repent to The Lord, so The Lord can then renew you.

You can best help your son, by first seeking your Healer, The Lord, and being healed, yourself. I suggest beginning the 14 Day CCCC Study, anew, and this time, journal about the lessons taught within the Stepping Stone and how to best apply them to your own life, as opposed to journaling about the old offenses of others.

Seek ye first the kingdom of God...

Diasgang, I am quite familiar with depression. I, myself, was caught in depression's ugly web for many decades. God healed me! Thank You Jesus. He healed me through His Word and He used the studies on this site because they are based on God's Word.

I am excited for you, because I know how Good our God is and I know too that He loves you, your wife and your sons. So, get back at it.

Prayers are rising to our Lord in the name of Jesus on your behalf. May God's blessed will be done.

God bless and keep you.
In Christ Jesus' love,
Sister Mack

[diasgang]

Thank you. I believe what you said but it is very hard. Those negative thoughts come into my mind a lot during the day and sometimes I feel as though I can't fight it anymore and so I allow those feelings to overwhelm me, and I feel defeated. Thank you again and I will do what you suggested.
Paul

[Jamie808]

Hey Diasgang,
Thanks for checking in with ur progress in the study. I know u may feel challenged in working thru it. I want to say to u "trust the process." Like Sister Mack God has used these studies in REMARKABLE ways to bring truth and healing to me.

So I will also offer my experience with forgiveness. I believe all of us have had or do have people we are "holding in contempt in our hearts." The problem is WE PAY for that, not them. A friend told me "its like drinking poison and expecting the other person to die"

To be sure God does not want His people to be in bondage to a spirit of bitterness. (Ephesians 4:31-32). The trick is "h ow to do it" ? For me this gets back to one of the basics of my faith - surrender. Have I surrendered my will, my wants, my needs, my sense of justice, hopes and dreams, anger, fear - u get the idea (lol). I've found God can not direct me very good when I'm clogged up. I think Mack said to somebody yesterday "He loves us too much for us to carry such things"
of Check out the Gospel of John 5:1-17 if u like. Its the story this dude who's be dude who's sick (physically I presume but I believe the example applies to us in a Spiritual sense of course). The guy is sitting RIGHT NEXT TO THIS POOL where people get healed at all the time. Jesus comes up to him and says "wats up ? Why are u sitting there and not in the pool ?" The guy says I cant get well cuz nobody will put me in the pool. I can't walk to get in the pool - words to that effect. Then Jesus asks him this "dumb question" - DO U WANT TO GET WELL? What the heck ? Isnt that obvious ?

It turns out I believe the lesson of this story is do I want to get well ? Do I want to surrender completely to Jesus ? God was testing his will ? Had this man in fact given up on all things in his natural self and the world to get him better ? Or was he still trying to "fix himself" according to what HE KNEW. The truth is we don't know. We just surrender.

One other qik thing. For me to forgive doesn't necessarily mean that I forget or that the situation doesn't come back up in my heart. I just need to surrender those thots as Mack says when they come up. Again for me it comes back lto surrender. God bless u brother. Glad ur doin the study. Keep eatin the "good bible food around here" -lol

Jamie

[diasgang]

Thanks Jamie. That is a good account (about the story man at the pool who could not be healed because someone else kept getting in before him). That is exactly what has happened to my son in the last three years. I can not even begin to list the number of times that opportunities have come up for my son and it completely falls flat. Someone comes in the pool before him. His hope becomes less and less. Total surrender is the key. Thanks,
Paul

[Jamie808]

Blessings to u my brother. I am praying for you and your family.