Where Are You?

First I want to say I know what it is to be angry and hold a grudge, and even want to take revenge and get even with people at times.  I believe every born-again believer is tempted in this area at times and many may be struggling in this area at the present time.  There have been things that have happened to people that they can’t understand and they just won’t let go of the hurt it caused them.  Sad to say people go to their graves with bitterness and unresolved issues that have never been dealt with.  Some of the things that hurt people can stem from a simple misunderstanding.

Yesterday we had family and a couple of friends over and something was said that I didn’t hear the way it was intended, neither did my wife.  But because it sounded like something I didn’t think he would say, especially in that setting, I brought it up again and sure enough it was completely different than what I, and my wife, thought he had said.  But think about this, what if my wife and I walked away with what we thought he said and passed it on in casual conversation to other people, meaning no harm.  I mean it wasn’t anything terrible, in fact it was kind of humorous, but if it got back to the person that was supposed to have said it, he would have justifiably thought it was a lie and he may have gotten very offended.  He may have even spread around that we lied about him and in the end it would have resulted in a big mess.

Something like this happened to me a while back.  Something was said that I didn’t say and the person said it to many other people and some were very close to me but it was a misunderstanding, and as a result these relationships may never be the same.  I have chosen to forgive but I wonder how many others that heard about it are still angry and will die with that anger within them over something that was never said.  The assurance and peace I have about this situation is that God is my witness and He knows what was said, but I feel bad about the unintended lie and all the people it affected.  I said all this to let you know how easy it is to get angry and bitter, sometimes over things that aren’t even true.

Let me ask you this question, how many times do you think Christians get mad at God, and I am talking about real anger, when God doesn’t answer a prayer the way they want Him to or when some kind of tragedy strikes? Good things happen to good people, as well as bad, and because of what people are taught they are astounded when it happens and the first one that gets the blame, many times, is God.  The thing that is pretty ironic is that many things that happen to us, we bring on ourselves, but it seems like we want to blame anything and everyone but ourselves.  Even the devil might complain sometimes because he gets blamed for things he didn’t do.  

The Bible says that people will reap what they sow and it also says that there are consequences for sin.  Sometimes because the consequences don’t take place instantly they somehow think they got away with the offence, or sin, so people keep right on with their sins, but, never forget this, your sins will find you out and you will be corrected sooner or later.  I hope you never fall into this trap, thinking you are a good person and a faithful believer so God will overlook a few small sins that you commit.  God doesn’t work like that, He doesn’t wink at sin and there will be a correction sometime and it may be very harsh, only God knows what the correction will be.

So, where are you in this equation?  Have you chosen to forgive or to hold onto the offences?  Have you chosen to blame God and others for the hurts you have experienced over the years, or have you chosen to repent?  Things that hurt people are real and can be very devastating, but hanging onto them will only make things worse, so don’t allow yourself to go to the grave with bitterness and un-forgiveness.  I write on this subject at times as a reminder, because this happens far too often.  This is something to think about very seriously and if you find this ‘tidbit’ is talking to you, be encouraged and do the right thing.  God bless and have a great day!!