Matthew 6:12-15
"...and forgive us our sins, just as
we have forgiven those who have sinned against us. Don’t bring us into
temptation, but deliver us from the Evil One. Amen." Your heavenly
Father will forgive you if you forgive those who sin against you; but if
you refuse to forgive them, he will not forgive you.
The
Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by
permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois
60188. All rights reserved.
Yesterday, the Sunday
school lesson for my K-1st Grade class was about tattling vs.
telling…and bullying. We talked about what constitutes bullying…and
when it is appropriate to tell someone what is happening. We also
talked about relatively harmless behaviors that we sometimes want to
share with others that fall in the category of tattling. A good example
would be telling an adult that someone is hitting other children on the playground vs. tattling
that a child refuses to share a swing. In the first example, people
could be physically hurt. In the latter…it’s just a matter of someone
possibly being rude.
We also talked about revenge…which scripture
tells us is not appropriate. We read Romans 12:18-19...”Don’t insist
on getting even; that’s not for you to do. ‘I’ll do the judging,’ says
God. ‘I’ll take care of it.’” I asked the children if they felt happy
when something bad happens to a person who had been unkind toward them.
One little girl said, “That’s called ‘karma!’” I had to laugh…but we
went on to discuss how this is not our responsibility. Relishing in
another person’s bad fortune (or “karma”) if they have mistreated us is
not God’s will…or our job!
I’m often astounded at how what I am
sharing with you here dovetails with what I teach to children in Sunday
school during the same time period. Part of our lesson yesterday
included the three steps for confronting someone who is offending us in
some manner…1) talk to them directly; 2) take someone with you if they
won’t listen; and 3) walk away if the person still refuses to change.
I’m
not totally “there” yet…but I am learning that harboring unforgiveness
does two things to me…1) it eats a hole in my heart and makes me
miserable; and 2) it dishonors God. I have tried very hard to let go of
hurts and insults…to give them to God and let HIM handle what happens.
Additionally, “carrying the torch” for an old insult or indignity does
the same thing. Sometimes it is hard to walk away…but there are times
when we must do this rather than harbor bitterness and resentments.
People
who know me well might say that I have a way to go in this
department…and they are probably right! But every day, I ask God to
remove all animosity and unforgiveness from my heart. I know that these
attitudes block God’s grace and mercy in my own life. I know that when
I say or do something that displeases Him, my own attitudes affect how –
and if/when – He will forgive me.
I don’t know about you, but I
need all of God’s compassion and leniency that I can get! So I will
keep working to banish any resentment, bitterness, callousness, and
unforgiveness from my heart and mind. What about you?
©2016 Debbie Robus
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