Processing Through Pain..

So I came across a really interesting book on a website that I usually visit (churchmarketingsucks.com). The book is called "Mad Church Disease". I downloaded one of the chapters of the book and the chapter was called Processing through pain. Not to long ago a really close friend of mine had a situation with a friend that did not end up very good. My close friend had not invited his friend to an outing and he got real bothered by it. To make a long story short he received a text from his friend saying "make pretend we don't exist" My friends reply to that was "Im sorry if I hurt you, but that was not my intention......" The following couple of text just got worse because his friend got real personal and started bringing up the past and real personal stuff that had absolutely nothing to do with what had happen. So your asking your self "What does this story about your friend have to do with the book?" Well the point of me talking about this book is because the chapter I downloaded was about forgiveness. One thing that the writer talks about is praying for the person who hurt you and how in doing so it draws you so much closer to the heart of God. It's not your first reaction to pray for someone who hurts you, but it's the right action. 

There is a story in the bible about a servant who owes his master a large sum of money of around $10,000,000. The servant begs the master to forgive him of his debt because he is unable to pay it. The master has compassion on him and forgives the servants debt. The man walks away  relieved and full of life because he has been forgiven. Now this servant runs into someone who owes him money (around $10) the other servant isn't able to pay him back, so instead of forgiving his debt, he throws him in jail. The king finds out about it and calls him "You wicked servant. I canceled all your debt because you begged me to. Shouldn't you have had Mercy on your fellow servant?"

YES, it's difficult to forgive someone who has hurt you, but think of how many other times we have been forgiven when we didn't deserve it and how JESUS forgave us when we didn't deserve it. We need to extend that same mercy and grace that was given to us.

"Being hurt is painful, but don't let your emotions dictate your action."

I'll leave you with a quote from the book:

Don't get older: Live realistically

Give generously.

Adapt willingly.

Trust fearlessly.

Rejoice Daily.

{Pedro} - "God Says Hello"