316 Life: Follow Elroy as he tries to get right with God…

For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, 15 but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. – Matthew 6:14-15

Forgive others, as God forgives us.

Yeah, sounds good…

This is a challenge for anybody, regardless of their religion. Why is it so hard to let things go when stuff happens to us? Even if the Bible didn’t command us to, common sense should tell us that hangin’ on to ill feelings and carrying drudges is not good for us, and it doesn’t accomplish anything! The inner turmoil from not forgiving others can lead to more stress, have higher blood pressure, and put a strain on your relationships.

But it’s easier said than done.

When my wife did something to me in the past, it would sometimes take me a couple of days to get over it (My dad says I get that from my ma!). But I’m gettin’ a lot better. Several years ago, there was an incident involving my Dad, my son’s mother, and myself. I won’t go into all the details, but I was pissed – at my dad! Had he not lived in another city, I would’ve been ready to fight. For the next couple years after, I didn’t say one word to him! The hurt and anger, it was too much on me. I wouldn’t have been able to have a conversation anyway. I was too hurt and too angry.

Luckily, I began reading my Bible, praying, and making an effort to just “do right”. Eventually I realized I had to forgive him, for me and for him. It was rough at first. Having a kind of “street” mentality, I thought that forgiving him was something soft and wimpy. The man thing to do would be to stay mad at him. But deep down I knew that wasn’t right. God forgave us when Adam sinned, and He continues to forgive us everyday! So I have to do the same thing.

Later,

Elroy