Forgiveness ABCs

What Forgiveness Isn't
6 myths that may be keeping you from letting go.
by Denise George

Forgiveness ABCs

Acknowledge the hurt. When someone deliberately hurts you, don't try to diminish the pain and its effect on you. Acknowledge your suffering—and express it aloud to God. Scripture promises: "The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit" (Psalm 34:18), and "He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds" (Psalm 147:3).

Blame the offender. If a person hurts you by mistake, she didn't mean to inflict pain, so she needs no forgiveness. But if a person intentionally hurts you, then the pain she caused was deliberate. Say aloud: "I personally blame you, (name of offender), because you hurt me on purpose." Correctly placing the blame readies you to begin the forgiveness process.

Cancel the debt. You've acknowledged the hurt and rightly blamed the offender. Now you're ready to make the willful decision to "cancel the debt" your offender owes you. Find a quiet place to be alone and ask the Lord's help in forgiving the person who hurt you. You might pray the "Lord's Prayer" (Matthew 6:9-13) and meditate on verse 12: "Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors." After you've prayed and while you're still alone, speak aloud your decision to forgive: "(Name of offender), I've chosen to forgive you for hurting me; I've decided to cancel the debt you owe me." You've now embarked on the process of forgiving the person who hurt you. —D.G

Feelings

Is it good or bad to be able to feel? Most would say it's good. Yet it brings along pains too.

Waves of memories came upon me but I tried to block them mentally and emotionally. I tried not to feel anything but stayed as a 'plant'. Yet I gave in a little. That's wasn't good... I was in 'trouble' again... it ruined my night. I got to go black to being a 'plant'... that's a better option I guess.

Being A Friend

What is the actual meaning of being a friend?

This question rang in my head when I was reading John 15 in the MasterLife series bible study recently. Jesus was speaking to his disciples ( a group of Christians):

12My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. 13Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. 14You are my friends if you do what I command. 15I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master's business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.

To Jesus, a friend is one whom we can share "everything", someone whom we can lay down our life for. That's the meaning of being a friend.

However, people tend to call anybody they got to know 'friend'. It has diluted the true meaning of being a friend. It makes me confused and wonder how can Jesus asked us to lay down our life for a 'friend'... it's very hard isn't it? But for someone whom we can share our life with, then it would not be that impossible. This type of "friend" is someone we "love".

Lilies of the Field

Just like the lilies of the field
I have no cares nor worries
Just work and don't really feel
Except sleepy, thirsty and hungry

Just like the lilies of the field
I don't feel sad nor happy
Just live daily with strength renewed
Trusting God with spirit free

Just like the lilies of the field
God will take care of me
Much more than the lilies of the field
For He loves me, even me.

- Bee

Am I a Plant?

Tomorrow is my Country's Birthday and I shall have a day off from work. That's something I needed the most for now. Oh yes, it's also somebody's birthday too.

As I was walking home alone, suddenly a question came into my mind, "Am I happy?" Ermmm.... I have not felt sad for quite some time, but neither do I feel happy. Hmmn.. I don't feel particularly happy or sad, that is. Have I lose my feeling? I really have no time to feel much accept to feel hungry, thirsty, sleepy and sometimes frustrated at work.

Am I living like a plant? Maybe....

Take A Rest

Sometimes, like now, I just feel like 'running' again. I just want to take a break from my blog friends. Perhaps it's because I am feeling very tired physically, which spilled over to the emotional side of me.

After going through years of emotional poverty, I have come to a point that I try not to feel anymore for anyone romantically. I put aside my emotion even if at times it comes back. I am well 'protected' emotionally and no one can penetrate this 'wall' anymore, I guess.

Well..good for now, as I don't have the time and energy to deal with any possible emotional blue. I will stay put here and take a rest, and focus my life on what is of eternal values.