Forgive AND Forget?

     I've found that forgiveness is one of those things that doesn't necessarily only have to be given once.  I came to a place a few months ago where I forgave  a handful of people that had really hurt me because I knew it was the right thing to do.  The thing is, though, forgiveness doesn't always mean forgetting.  When someone has  done things that have caused MUCH pain in your life and not even seemed to care.... it's hard to forget.  When someone seems to be continually trying to cause you more pain....it's hard to forget.  When you still have emotional ties to someone who has hurt you....it's hard to forget.  Forgiveness is easier than forgetting. 
   

     Today at church the word was on forgiveness.  The title of the sermon was "When You Can't Tell Your Enemies from Your Friends". ( Most of you know I've already dealt with this, which is why I have few friends now, but the ones I have I love dearly. ) Here were the three main points:

1.  Remember:  friends can become enemies. When our affections or priorities change people that were once close to us can actually become our enemies.  The pastor gave an example that punched me in the gut.  If only I had seen that a few years ago....

Again the scripture was given: Do not repay anyone evil for evil.  Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody.  If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.  Romans12:18

2.  Remember, enemies can become friends.  Sometimes God uses people you could never imagine to impact your life, or cause changes in the events of your life that can positive. (Even if you don't see it at the time.)

3.  Remember, God is still in control.  Don't be too quick to label something in your life as good or bad.  God may be doing something behind the scenes that may not be seen by us until the future.  Who's to say some of these awful events in my life are not for the good of me at a later time, or that these things will make me a better person in some way?

     At the end of the sermon was a response time. The pastor encouraged anyone who needed to forgive someone to respond, or if there was anyone in your life who was still had control over your emotions and you needed  to release that to respond.  At my church you can choose to respond in different ways.  You can pray at your seat, go to a member of the prayer team up in front, go to a candle-lighting station, or go to an actual cross that is in the corner and write your burden or request on a piece of paper and tack it to the cross and pray.  I stood there with tears in my eyes knowing that I had 3 people to forgive, including one person who still at times controlled my emotions...someone I needed to completely release from my mind and heart (again). I went to the cross and wrote my request and put it on the cross where I left it.   Later this afternoon I realized that today is the birthday of one of the people I forgave today.  (interesting coincidence to me) 

     I know that forgiveness helps bring about peace, which is something I'm striving for in my life each day.  Forgetting the hurt will not come quickly, but once again I have chosen to forgive....in the hopes that those I've hurt will eventually forgive me.  God didn't choose to forgive me just once, but every time I ask.  If our goal is to be more like Him then I'll continue to forgive and live at peace with others. (Even if one of them screwed up my plans to go to Bham last week.) :-)