Genuinely forgiving and
loving people in-spite of what they may have done to you is the greatest thing
you can do for yourself. I'm like each and everyone one of you. I'm human; if
you cut me I'll bleed... I feel emotions and I've had countless disappointment.
Over time I let that bitterness build up inside of me and it began to control
me. Uncontrollably began to dictate my every emotion and I allowed anger and
rage to live in my heart. Bitterness will consume your thoughts and
emotions. It will take over you, and you will start to feel like everyone is
out to hurt you. Weeding out that poisonous root of un-forgiveness and
bitterness was one of the best things I could have ever done for my own
happiness. Not to say I am perfect, because I am miraculously flawed in many
ways. However, I have chosen to make a lifestyle out of genuinely loving those
who have "TRIED MY LIFE" as I would say. Or in other words, tried to
dismantle me in any way they possibly could. I’m sure many people have been
hurt by a friend, significant other or even a deadbeat parent but we should all
be making an effort to be at peace with everyone. Yes, even those who have
despite-fully used us and caused so much pain and agony along with sleepless
nights. In Philippians 4:5 we are commanded, "Let your gentleness be known
to all men." I want to be at peace, not with most people, or with some,
but with all of them.
We have all heard the
"Golden Rule" a million times. Yet, we can treat people better than
we treat ourselves and they can still hurt us. Sometimes we don't know why
people do things to us to tear us down and betray us. Truth is, we may never
find out. It is easy to get mad when people use and abuse us. It is even easier
talk down on them then warn everybody in the city that "they're no
good" Let's be real, we've all done it. My question is what satisfaction
do we get from that? We feel good because we got that pain off of our chest, we
told somebody!!!! O.K. But at the end of the day that pain is still there. That
pain that builds up to bitterness and resentment and after while it gets out of
control. The control is simply within us, we control how we respond to our
situations. Do you realize when we vindicate negative behaviors we are showing
malicious ill will to hurt someone because they hurt us. We seek revenge and
that is why so many people have lost their lives because they want to GET EVEN.
It takes a mature person to understand that forgiveness is not the end of the
world. It does not mean we are a punk or sensitive. It shows real maturity and proves
that we can let things be and keep pressing forward. Saying that you forgive
someone, just isn’t enough. Anyone can say they forgive someone but acting upon
it is the key to true forgiveness. We live in a world where people are going to
hurt us regardless if we do everything perfect or not. That's just the way it
is. Yet, people are searching for that apology that they never got. Guess what,
we probably won't ever get. I've had friends stab me in the back and yes it
hurts because you never image the people closest to you would treat you so
dirty but I’ve learned how to deal with it, embrace it and love them in-spite
of. Continuously I keep pressing towards the mark of mastering the art of
loving people in-spite of. Learning how to love people takes time but if you
are genuine, it is time well spent. There are so many other things in life to
be concerned with then holding bitterness in our hearts because someone hurt
us. Life is too short to be wasting it being upset about something we cannot
control. Do yourself a favor, choose love it is so much easier. Let’s not
forget that Jesus washed his disciples’ feet. Loving difficult people is more
than a good idea. It is God’s example. Treat people the way you want
to be treated. We have all needed to be forgiven at some point; so don’t try to
write off your wrong doings. Set an example of loving grace for everyone to
see. Challenge yourself to step up to a higher level of love and avoid the pits
of bitterness, spite and maliciousness. Take action and make it a lifestyle.
Until next time J
“The art of love is largely the art of persistence.”
— Albert Ellis
— Albert Ellis
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