Forgiveness Is Frustrating

Someone told me a story the other day. The story was about a little boy who had a fight with his older brother. The feud between the two lasted the entire day. Neither would speak; neither would make amends. 

When bedtime came, mother went to the younger boy and said, "Don't you think you should forgive your brother before you go to sleep? Remember, the Bible says that we shouldn't let the sun go down while we're still angry." (Ephesians 4:26) The mother smiled as she saw her son's attempt to comprehend what she was saying.

"Mama?" "Yes, honey?" "I was wondering." "And what were you wondering?" "I was wondering how I can keep the sun from going down."

That little boy understood... forgiveness is frustrating. Nobody said it would be easy.

I say, "You know, I'm all about forgiveness. Everyone should forgive."

But then the need and the time comes around for me to forgive again and again.

And it gets a little frustrating. 

Peter must have understood that too. Read Matthew 18. Especially verse 21.

Peter wants to know how many times he should offer forgiveness to someone who sinned against him.

And I loved Jesus' answer. He says "Not seven times, but seventy times seven."

Seventy times seven? That's... 490. Are we supposed to keep track of the number of times we forgive someone?

How would that sound? 

....Okay. He's nearing 300. He glared at me again, mark that one down.

......This is getting a little extreme- I was ignored yet again. Let's see. We're now at 425.

.....Now I found out more about what he's told people. It's now 488- You're getting close, buddy.

.....I've realized that he lied to me again. 489- Sin against me one more time and see what happens.

..... Again? 490. You know, Jesus only said 490- If you sin one more time, I can finally get back at you, and man, will that feel good.

That's so absurd, it's rather amusing. Jesus meant that we should always forgive!

But, what is it about forgiveness that's frustrating? Well, forgiveness is more than saying "I forgive you." and then you go around and hold a grudge and despise the person.

Forgiveness is forgetting, moving on, and being prepared to forgive again if the situation happens again.

Easier said than done. Because forgiveness is frustrating. But we are to forgive as God forgave us,  and if we don't... well, then God's not going to forgive us. Read the rest of Matthew 18. It's right there in the Bible.

Jesus knows how frustrating forgiveness is. He was mocked, beaten, laughed at, struck, and eventually crucified and killed. 

What did He do? He could have struck them all down, He could have fought back (and won), He could have given them all a terrible disease.

But He didn't.

Instead, some of His last words on the cross were, "Father, forgive them...."

Forgiveness was frustrating. And I'm sure God isn't very happy when we sin against Him. It must get frustrating when we curse, lie, are cruel to others, etc. 

But He's ready to forgive our 490+ sins, and always will be, if we come to Him.

And I think that's absolutely amazing.

Forgiveness is frustrating, believe me, I know. It gets harder to forgive certain individuals with each passing day. But I'm doing it. Even though it's not being done in return.

With Jesus, forgiveness becomes a necessary and wonderful necessity. We forgive because of what He did for us.

Forgiveness is a gift. It's meant to be shared. And it feels so good to forgive rather than hold grudges and hatred and petty anger.

Blessings:

-I finished the book I spent so long reading yesterday, and I have progressed right along to the 2nd book in the series!

-Things seem to be falling right into place. And I'm just going to leave that one at that.

-Okay- I got an offer to be an actor in a music video that this great singer is producing. She's really rising. It was supposed to be a love story. Unfortunately, because of other commitments, I can't do it. But I was honored to be asked.

-Got a haircut today- I'm back to my "new" style again.

-My grandma made us pumpkin bars smothered in cream cheese frosting.