Tuesday, July 12, 2022

Reflection - Journeying With Others - Why we need to forgive

Source (book): "He Walks with Me - Devotions for Your Caregiving Journey with God", PART III "JOURNEYING WITH OTHERS", Chapter 23 "Why we need to forgive", Page 68.
Adapted from books by Shelly Beach: Ambushed By Grace: Help and Hope in the Caregiving Journey, and It Is Well with My Soul.


And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. - Matthew 6:12
PHOTO: And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. - Matthew 6:12

As a caregiver, you are likely to feel wronged or unappreciated at some point. A brother or sister blames you for Dad's illness and insists that taking care of him is your job. A spouse asks why you don't pay him more attention, even though you are exhausted from caring for your child. The very person you are taking care of berates (criticizes) you for her troubles.

How do you deal with the anger and bitterness that you feel? How do you cope with the overwhelming sense of injustice and unfairness? How do you release the grudge that grips your heart - even though you know you are supposed to forgive?

Now, this may be a challenging thing to do, but we need to start by remembering that we're not entitled to a self-righteous attitude, even as caregivers who have been more than willing to give. Why? Because we're all rebellious sinners, broken by bitterness and perverted by pride. It was only by God's grace and mercy, poured out at the cross, that we were forgiven. And as recipients of that grace, we are compelled to forgive out of gratitude.

Jesus made this link when He taught His disciples how to pray about forgiveness: "Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors" (Matthew 6:12). The parable of the unforgiving servant (Matthew 18:21-35). emphasises this point: we forgive because we were first forgiven.

Let us draw on this truth - that we ourselves have received abundant forgiveness and mercy - to give ourselves the power to forgive. Forgiveness will then become a conscious, deliberate decision, as well as a daily process. Just as we grant others the grace we have so freely received, we forgive them as we have been so freely forgiven.

What does forgiveness look like in practical terms? We will look at some helpful ideas later, but essentially, forgiveness means giving up our rights - our right to seek payback and to hurt someone in retaliation. It means trusting God to ensure that justice is done. It means giving up our desire to control the people who hurt us, and to release them from our judgement.

Ultimately, as we learn to forgive, we will discover that it will transform our very selves. When we make a decision to forgive, it will shape our attitude and what we think, say, and do - ultimately shaping our relationship with God.

We forgive much because we have been forgiven much.
Picture posted by Bully Buddies@thebullybuddies on 14 April 2021 at 06:41 am
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLdTeZZpFb0a8RgwHgMWeQDoIGAVD2Fxn8pFI3LQ082r7VhM1wT0fPj7lIjxuiavjNo8fFy9iPj7chUtNlt6ehpwjDv0Ec9oaL3FuX20o6Yz_ACUbK4PT_npaKD7L6MJJhsjXF8unLdZyLyJjrYH0qSO--j9l0x75ryJUhEC96tXzU1LzaSE2UckJp/s4096/D4ET8DoU4AA0XTK.jpg
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/D4ET8DoU4AA0XTK?format=jpg&name=4096x4096
https://mobile.twitter.com/thebullybuddies/status/1117196131723649024



And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. - Matthew 6:12


And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. - Matthew 6:12
PHOTO: And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. - Matthew 6:12 
Creator: AntonioGuillem | Credit: Getty Images/iStockphoto
Picture posted by Colégio Notarial (Notary College)

https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8a56WXlIu4Sl1p7za-J82rFvU0D4evCw0WmH-1DQRIo_p6i5KKIUih-414X6oVjFkHaK7Xp9w_QQCdFLLwyoB-d3sVv716mKT3YpWxdlSTl9N6MpLad-Ll3SG0p9pp7QTu4pka--z6W5VEZ5Qe5Hu3EIXDbEs6AaFC9_va2eWXN_WUMG1Fbdd8IQg/s5088/Inventario-e-partilha-extrajudicial-2.jpg
https://www.notariado.org.br/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/Inventario-e-partilha-extrajudicial-2.jpg
https://www.notariado.org.br/doacao-e-sucessao/inventario-e-partilhas-extrajudiciais/



As a caregiver, you are likely to feel wronged or unappreciated at some point. A brother or sister blames you for Dad's illness and insists that taking care of him is your job. A spouse asks why you don't pay him more attention, even though you are exhausted from caring for your child. The very person you are taking care of berates (criticizes) you for her troubles.


As a caregiver, you are likely to feel wronged or unappreciated at some point.
PHOTO: As a caregiver, you are likely to feel wronged or unappreciated at some point. A brother or sister blames you for Dad's illness and insists that taking care of him is your job. A spouse asks why you don't pay him more attention, even though you are exhausted from caring for your child. The very person you are taking care of berates (criticizes) you for her troubles.
Picture posted by Bienvenue N.,  Agakiza.com on 03 June 2022

https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB9BEe_8RbiSRIzrjtBf--oOyaER2D7m7awryhidQ77l3MFDbY_1UAsxgBFV1XLEvetbxowkPCEzbgHioWPqnwkjGS-c1k4ViR9IJzaQecK5Jx7jy7D8hT5KjJA5i0vdcrvEri4D5fGR1K_FDsLigpxvOfRWvbyOcPYqzGlmU1u3-YvqfBK9pQPLqP/s900/4602f2f5153477027a754713438bf3d0_XL.jpg
https://agakiza.com/media/k2/items/cache/4602f2f5153477027a754713438bf3d0_XL.jpg
https://agakiza.com/index.php/details/item/966-ese-kuki-bigorana-gutanga-imbabazi-kandi-natwe-tuzikeneye



How do you deal with the anger and bitterness that you feel? How do you cope with the overwhelming sense of injustice and unfairness? How do you release the grudge that grips your heart - even though you know you are supposed to forgive?


How do you deal with the anger and bitterness that you feel?
PHOTO: How do you deal with the anger and bitterness that you feel? How do you cope with the overwhelming sense of injustice and unfairness? How do you release the grudge that grips your heart - even though you know you are supposed to forgive?
Picture posted by Beautiful wow

https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_-QBtGbQptEyMJEDJXxoz1HDdF5q29Iar8cvepdCAWWJgFjQPZHBCbIq8iDnAE_i_CRumJQSbBCRDXVIo7d_z0Cnt9wBsPpLru8dYpUEY3NwPiDfeNa7p8asELhp4PDr14clLP8whZZxznSk8BswuubZeUVhQFu8u6S7AZn0Zc8sY2Wstj8FYX8TU/s4800/a90a830d2eed9607bb2274144108b25b.jpg
https://i.pinimg.com/originals/a9/0a/83/a90a830d2eed9607bb2274144108b25b.jpg
https://in.pinterest.com/pin/421790321328882956/



Now, this may be a challenging thing to do, but we need to start by remembering that we're not entitled to a self-righteous attitude, even as caregivers who have been more than willing to give. Why? Because we're all rebellious sinners, broken by bitterness and perverted by pride. It was only by God's grace and mercy, poured out at the cross, that we were forgiven. And as recipients of that grace, we are compelled to forgive out of gratitude.

Jesus made this link when He taught His disciples how to pray about forgiveness: "Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors" (Matthew 6:12). The parable of the unforgiving servant (Matthew 18:21-35). emphasises this point: we forgive because we were first forgiven.


We're all rebellious sinners, broken by bitterness and perverted by pride.
PHOTO: We're all rebellious sinners, broken by bitterness and perverted by pride. It was only by God's grace and mercy, poured out at the cross, that we were forgiven. And as recipients of that grace, we are compelled to forgive out of gratitude.
The parable of the unforgiving servant
(
Matthew 18:21-35). emphasises this point: we forgive because we were first forgiven.
Picture posted by Gereja Tuhan Yang Mahakuasa on 09 November 2018

https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrW8S5hOw3bMoY_DhnoZRsig8ZWQxiEJlpch60ryh5bkfn9pjx6FdP-kQblXISq0mtA0gOaSVMgwYRtmbrlJMKxLbpgAHomW4AGnFYs2IUsV7kYw10I0GL2T68yx0NaotDlIPVGuWz5azEZFnk6bJ8P0a7bF8fWuy6hARrykkfeMOh5CzP1dsLJ_1X/s1280/45891376_1919844891430684_9118312949201502208_n.jpg
https://scontent.fsin14-2.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.6435-9/45891376_1919844891430684_9118312949201502208_n.jpg?_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=730e14&_nc_ohc=w4G5gPRaBYUAX8uQtut&_nc_ht=scontent.fsin14-2.fna&oh=00_AT9o5IgdDDsubnVlhNJBDSxAv5h1GTJarbxn8vH4Ka32hg&oe=62EFF153
https://www.facebook.com/kingdomsalvationid/posts/bukan-setiap-orang-yang-memanggil-ku-tuhan-tuhan-yang-akan-masuk-ke-dalam-keraja/1919846914763815/



Let us draw on this truth - that we ourselves have received abundant forgiveness and mercy - to give ourselves the power to forgive. Forgiveness will then become a conscious, deliberate decision, as well as a daily process. Just as we grant others the grace we have so freely received, we forgive them as we have been so freely forgiven.


We ourselves have received abundant forgiveness and mercy - to give ourselves the power to forgive.
PHOTO: We ourselves have received abundant forgiveness and mercy - to give ourselves the power to forgive. Forgiveness will then become a conscious, deliberate decision, as well as a daily process. Just as we grant others the grace we have so freely received, we forgive them as we have been so freely forgiven.
Picture posted by Phillip Medhurst on 05 March 2018

https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjZYC3U0Cfkg63-iHR6edgduVpMaWSH6inq7pyldG3QxnnRiJfCpamqsiScd9L15i-Ra0Tal7xER4sGRQXY-IBdMAjjmYeoVFJrBAYrkPFnLB0QRuj4LL92LKr5YMHg--oE0-AL8QLh0S1uUyEj3seZ7zf1N3_D59ZDdDe_88ulbPDGc_WauBDkA5j/s968/20180305_121019.jpg
https://markinterpreted.files.wordpress.com/2018/03/20180305_121019.jpg
https://markinterpreted.wordpress.com/2018/03/05/a-commentary-on-the-gospel-according-to-mark-by-phillip-medhurst-x2/



What does forgiveness look like in practical terms? We will look at some helpful ideas later, but essentially, forgiveness means giving up our rights - our right to seek payback and to hurt someone in retaliation. It means trusting God to ensure that justice is done. It means giving up our desire to control the people who hurt us, and to release them from our judgement.


Essentially, forgiveness means giving up our rights - our right to seek payback and to hurt someone in retaliation.
PHOTO: Essentially, forgiveness means giving up our rights - our right to seek payback and to hurt someone in retaliation. It means trusting God to ensure that justice is done. It means giving up our desire to control the people who hurt us, and to release them from our judgement.
Picture posted by Gereja Tuhan Yang Mahakuasa on 22 June 2022 at 5:00 pm

https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7RhyAKPjExty6HHZ7tfiTWR676jFQw7iI1gyFXxp0n9v9uiteg2JTVOTQzaE59_T92AKiDAV12KyXoFdQnPb97SHbnTdhtzqkbqKAGgE098IDDYQgk-LDCMY9pBpPqVVNHkDSr1hd2RStEK8L9TCM5VcOA_5pTpLQivAW9wlfggz0MotSUDbtS6j_/s1000/288854218_5135074753240999_732047247357268943_n.jpg
https://scontent.fsin14-2.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.30808-6/288854218_5135074753240999_732047247357268943_n.jpg?_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=730e14&_nc_ohc=rLwYZCGwIKwAX-QCWUh&_nc_ht=scontent.fsin14-2.fna&oh=00_AT-vguv6bbNVCdO6M8mu4sNiJFPax3sosJWTOhvs5ou7PA&oe=62D0E3A5
https://www.facebook.com/kingdomsalvationid/photos/5135074756574332



Ultimately, as we learn to forgive, we will discover that it will transform our very selves. When we make a decision to forgive, it will shape our attitude and what we think, say, and do - ultimately shaping our relationship with God.


As we learn to forgive, we will discover that it will transform our very selves.
We forgive much because we have been forgiven much.


We forgive much because we have been forgiven much.
PHOTO: "Dear Father, make me sensitive to the moving of Your Holy Spirit in my heart, stirring in me an awareness of my wounds and hurts, my bitterness and pride, and my resentment and rigidity. As these things are revealed to me, I confess them to You as sin and renounce them. Thank You for the amazing gift of forgiveness poured out in my life that makes it possible for me to forgive others.

Through Lord Jesus Christ we pray. Amen!
"
Picture posted by Yulianus Z
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvsT5wlITCY0kCEy4SwLoBu2raWuQGr5TTNdUic984sPLpJtemiKfXmV8aGUk4j09EidwPfTjykqGrrVm_8KaGmfEBhdoJmjYRvTzpzA_6KG0otGoEUpbA-1GSIbYxtfyW3SSXND0fyJUB3JQVuU4Al9kFMA1Gpvh8jhlLQzt7isSGdD5vJ-lAyUu8/s1311/b90a7d8d7ab0e47dac3f1b1965362e0d_1.png
https://i.pinimg.com/originals/b9/0a/7d/b90a7d8d7ab0e47dac3f1b1965362e0d.jpg
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/77616793570553183/


Reflection - Journeying With Others - Why we need to forgive
Source (book): "He Walks with Me - Devotions for Your Caregiving Journey with God", PART III "JOURNEYING WITH OTHERS", Chapter 23 "Why we need to forgive", Page 68.
Adapted from books by Shelly Beach: Ambushed By Grace: Help and Hope in the Caregiving Journey, and It Is Well with My Soul.



Other Books (Links)

"Faithful to the end", A Preacher's Exposition of 2 Timothy, @ 2014 by Robert M. Solomon

'Faithful to the end', A Preacher's Exposition of 2 Timothy, @ 2014 by Robert M. Solomon<br>
Reflection - Faithful to the end (Links)
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2017/06/reflection-faithful-to-end-links.html


"Finding rest for the soul" Responding to Jesus' Invitation in Matthew 11:28-29, ©
2016 by Robert M. Solomon

Reflection - Finding rest for the soul (Links)
Reflection - Finding rest for the soul (Links)
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2018/10/reflection-finding-rest-for-soul-links.html


"God in Pursuit" Lessons from the Book of Jonah, ©
2016 by Robert M. Solomon

'Reflection - God in Pursuit (Links) - PART I-III, posted on Saturday, 10 August 2019
Reflection - God in Pursuit (Links) - PART I-III, posted on Saturday, 10 August 2019
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2019/08/reflection-god-in-pursuit-links-part-i.html


"God in Pursuit" Lessons from the Book of Jonah, ©
2016 by Robert M. Solomon

'Reflection - God in Pursuit (Links) - PART IV, posted on Saturday, 10 August 2019
Reflection - God in Pursuit (Links) - PART IV, posted on Saturday, 10 August 2019
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2019/08/reflection-god-in-pursuit-links-part-iv.html
 


"Songs of Christmas", The Stories and Significance of 20 Well-Loved Carols, ©
2018 by Robert M. Solomon

Reflection - Songs of Christmas (Links), posted on Friday, 24 April 2020
Reflection - Songs of Christmas (Links), posted on Friday, 24 April 2020

https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2020/04/reflection-songs-of-christmas-links.html
 

"Growing Old Gracefully", Following Jesus to the End, © 2019 by Robert M. Solomon

Reflection - Growing Old Gracefully, Part I - III (Links), posted on Wednesday, 09 December 2020
Reflection - Growing Old Gracefully, Part I - III (Links), posted on Wednesday, 09 December 2020
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2020/12/reflection-growing-old-gracefully-part.html
 

Reflection - Growing Old Gracefully, Part IV - V (Links), posted on Thursday, 22 April 2021
Reflection - Growing Old Gracefully, Part IV - V (Links), posted on Thursday, 22 April 2021
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2020/12/reflection-growing-old-gracefully-part_9.html
 

"Teach Us to Number Our Days", © 2008 by David Roper

Reflection - Number Our Days, Chapter 1 - 40 (Links), posted on Tuesday, 16 November 2021
Reflection - Number Our Days, Chapter 1 - 40 (Links), posted on Tuesday, 16 November 2021
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2021/11/reflection-number-our-days-chapter-1-40.html
 
 
Reflection - Number Our Days, Chapter 41 - 64 (Links), posted on Wednesday, 16 March 2022
Reflection - Number Our Days, Chapter 41 - 64 (Links), posted on Wednesday, 16 March 2022
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2022/03/reflection-number-our-days-chapter-41.html
 


Reference
[1] From "He Walks with Me - Devotions for Your Caregiving Journey with God", Copyright © 2018 by Our Daily Bread Ministries, PART III "JOURNEYING WITH OTHERS", Chapter 23 "Why we need to forgive", Page 68-69.


Links


New International Version (NIV), Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.