Yes, I've been hurt by both pastors and saints. Sometimes forgiveness doesn't come easily. In fact, there are still some days that I struggle with the pain that those hurts have brought into my life.
Someone said something in an earlier thread that is soooo true...the common denominator is me, so I first have to examine myself. I'm not perfect...I know shocker for those who know me
Seriously, we are all human...if by chance we happen to get hurt by someone, we must realize that we hurt people as well. Someone else also mentioned that they have stepped back and have started to see God's favor. That's what comes when we have truly forgiven and been forgiven as well!
I heard a great sermon not too long ago on forgiveness. We have always been taught you need to just "forgive" "forgive "forgive" - regardless if the person is sorry for what they have done - HOWEVER, this is really NOT what the bible says - Luke 17:3 "Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him. If you have gone to that person and told them how they have hurt you and they are not sorry for it - forgiveness is really not something you have to grant that person. You just have to move on and not let bitterness come into your heart.
I heard a great sermon not too long ago on forgiveness. We have always been taught you need to just "forgive" "forgive "forgive" - regardless if the person is sorry for what they have done - HOWEVER, this is really NOT what the bible says - Luke 17:3 "Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him. If you have gone to that person and told them how they have hurt you and they are not sorry for it - forgiveness is really not something you have to grant that person. You just have to move on and not let bitterness come into your heart.
Now that's a word that can really wreck havoc in someone's life...
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"Just a sinner saved by grace!"
If Joseph had not been sold to Egypt where would his brethren been?
His hurt made him a great leader.
We pray to be like Jesus if we are to be like Him we have to be hurt.
Pain is part of the process and our attitude toward it.
if being lied to and lied about counts, then yes, but time and forgiveness bring healing, and there is no justification for them even if god does use it for our good, dt
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A product of a pentecostal raisin, I am a hard man, just ask my children
Being hurt is part of the process:
beating the olives to get the oil
crushing the flowers to get the perfume.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Steve Epley
If Joseph had not been sold to Egypt where would his brethren been?
His hurt made him a great leader.
We pray to be like Jesus if we are to be like Him we have to be hurt.
Pain is part of the process and our attitude toward it.
I agree. While pain and hurt is terrible and sometimes can be spiritually (even physically) fatal - it's necessary to the process of growth.
I believe God allowed my hurt to get me where He needed me to be. Had I continued where I was, I'd be in a rut quite honestly. The church I was at is doing nothing and keeps losing people. Leadership there is seemingly more interested in golfing and cruise trips than the more important things.
So, while it wasn't pleasant, it was necessary and brought me to a better place - both spiritually and naturally as a person.
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