Genesis 45-50
So much can be said about the necessity for us to have a spirit of forgiveness if we want to live happily in this life. To be driven by resentment and to maintain the position of the victim, seldom if ever results in a happy and fruitful life. It is so important for our children to see forgiveness demonstrated in the home. Just like any other relationship, there are times when it seems my wife and I are speaking two different languages, tensions run high and both of us get frustrated. It’s been my experience that it does not matter if the apparent transgression was big or small. In fact, the small issues can often be more damaging because we are more ready to sweep them under the rug, which leads to us festering about them instead of engaging in discussion or even bringing them into our prayers. If we looked honestly at our experience with these scenarios, we might admit that most of the time we only get as far as concluding that the world or the people around us have harmed us. “They are being jerks and if they would only do, say or think as ‘I’ see fit, none of this would be an issue.” It seems so obvious that it is not a fruitful mindset when you say it out loud, but it is something with which most people struggle. To never bring these things to God and to remain in this position only causes more heartache and turmoil.
The story of Joseph is such a profound application of forgiveness. The betrayal he must have felt to have his own flesh and blood sell him into slavery cannot be overstated. He could have chosen to hold onto that resentment. Once he had risen to power he could have chosen to repay their transgression with fury. Yet when he revealed his identity to his brothers he wept with joy and consoled them. He urged them not to be angry with themselves because of the evil they had done to him. Then he said something remarkable, he implied that the evil they had done to him was actually in accordance with God’s plan and was ultimately used to glorify Him and preserve life. This level of faith and forgiveness sets the standard for all Christians. I believe I am paraphrasing C. S. Lewis who once said something to the effect that, as Christians we are called to forgive even the most aggreges offense because Christ forgave the most aggreges offenses in us.
Children are often equated to sponges in that they absorb and retain information so well. Forgiveness needs to be taught because it is not inherent in the person and often the best way to teach our children is to be a demonstration of these principles that we hold valuable. When we feel as though we have been wronged it is important that we at once seek direction from the Father and pray for guidance in the moment. We hear people tell us that we need to pause and count to ten, when what really needs to happen is to pause and pray. Only after we seek that guidance can we feel confident in moving forward and addressing the problem. Be quick to see where you were wrong. Be quick to initiate those hard conversations with love, grace and forgiveness. Be assured that no matter the wrongs that were committed, they too can be the catalyst for God’s glory. Our children see this and learn far more from our demonstration than from some lecture we could give them. Hopefully, with practice, our demonstration will assure others that Forgiveness Always Wins.
The story of Joseph is such a profound application of forgiveness. The betrayal he must have felt to have his own flesh and blood sell him into slavery cannot be overstated. He could have chosen to hold onto that resentment. Once he had risen to power he could have chosen to repay their transgression with fury. Yet when he revealed his identity to his brothers he wept with joy and consoled them. He urged them not to be angry with themselves because of the evil they had done to him. Then he said something remarkable, he implied that the evil they had done to him was actually in accordance with God’s plan and was ultimately used to glorify Him and preserve life. This level of faith and forgiveness sets the standard for all Christians. I believe I am paraphrasing C. S. Lewis who once said something to the effect that, as Christians we are called to forgive even the most aggreges offense because Christ forgave the most aggreges offenses in us.
Children are often equated to sponges in that they absorb and retain information so well. Forgiveness needs to be taught because it is not inherent in the person and often the best way to teach our children is to be a demonstration of these principles that we hold valuable. When we feel as though we have been wronged it is important that we at once seek direction from the Father and pray for guidance in the moment. We hear people tell us that we need to pause and count to ten, when what really needs to happen is to pause and pray. Only after we seek that guidance can we feel confident in moving forward and addressing the problem. Be quick to see where you were wrong. Be quick to initiate those hard conversations with love, grace and forgiveness. Be assured that no matter the wrongs that were committed, they too can be the catalyst for God’s glory. Our children see this and learn far more from our demonstration than from some lecture we could give them. Hopefully, with practice, our demonstration will assure others that Forgiveness Always Wins.
Posted in Devotional