Walking closely with the Lord means we must come to terms with forgiving others. Yes, must. We can’t avoid or deny the fact that relationships often bring hurt and the need to forgive. Whether we have been wronged by another or the responsibility is ours, Ephesians 4:31-32 beautifully summarizes how we can have a clear conscience […]
Read MoreCategory Archives: Forgiveness
Giving the Unexpected
There are various ways to describe it: turning the other cheek . . . going the extra mile . . . doing good to those who hate us . . . loving our enemies . . . pouring coals of fire on another’s head. We may say it different ways, but the action amounts to […]
Read MoreA Balanced View of Shame
“You should be ashamed of yourself!” No doubt many of us as kids heard remarks like that from our mom or dad. Maybe we had lied, played with matches, or been stopped for speeding in our mom’s car. Whatever the infraction, we all implicitly knew (and rightly so) that we should feel bad about the […]
Read MoreHow Can I Manage My Anger?
Question: I’ve been struggling with anger lately. I feel like a smoldering volcano ready to explode at any moment. When I erupt, I say the cruelest things, and then I feel so guilty afterward. I don’t know what’s causing me to be so grouchy, but this seething anger is hurting the people I care about. […]
Read MoreHow Do I Respond to Someone Who Has Hurt Me?
Question: A person I used to call a friend gossiped about me, and I’m so hurt by her actions. I told her something in confidence, and she told my other friends. I can’t even show my face at church. I’m so angry with her. I don’t talk to her anymore, and I know that’s wrong. […]
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