Then Peter came to him and asked, “Lord, how often should I forgive someone who sins against me? Seven times?”
NLT
“No, not seven times,” Jesus replied, “but seventy times seven!”
I don’t know about you, but I feel like this goes against everything today’s culture lives for, especially in the United States. Don’t get me wrong, I realize there are pockets of forgiving people scattered, but today’s world is problematic.
Every once in a while, I get caught up on Facebook reels. Almost every time, there’s at least one video of someone reacting in harsh anger to a perceived slight.
I would naively hope it’s all done for the camera and most people don’t actually act like that, but then I walk around and I see similar things happen out and about.
People no longer talk and interact, unless they have to. Then, when they have to, it’s usually to tell someone off for doing something against them. It’s even easier in today’s culture to get hurt and turn around and blast them on social media – something I see all the time.
What, pray tell, does that accomplish?
What if we were to start living in an attitude of forgiveness?
I’m not saying it will be easy. Goodness knows if it was, we’d all be doing it already.
I’m not saying each time someone does something against you, you look them in the eye and say, “I forgive you.” This is more of an internal thing. Rather than outwardly reacting, sit with your emotions for a moment, then let them go, especially for the small things. I realize bigger things take more effort and may have different ways of forgiving and may require a different life choice.
Today’s world has taught us to expect quick and vicious retaliation. What happens if that retaliation doesn’t happen? The other person will be expecting you to be angry and will be bracing themselves for an attack. An attack that never comes.
If this happens enough times, they’ll start to wonder what’s going on. Teach by example, my friend.
I’m not saying lay down and allow yourself to be kicked. If someone is truly vicious towards you in life, cut them out. I see friends on Facebook go into huge, blown up arguments on there all the time. Unfriend and block the people who are constantly at your throat.
We’re stuck living in this world, but that doesn’t mean we can’t change it one decision at a time. Be the change, dear reader.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, help me to figuratively ‘turn the other cheek’. When I feel a perceived hurt, or an actual hurt, help me to let go of the instant anger and think rationally. Help me to live with an attitude of forgiveness. In Your Name I pray, amen.
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