Approaching Forgiveness

As I type this morning, I'm not coming up with an idea or story or of my own, so what I'd like to do is share two blogs that have spoken to me lately. One is from Donald Miller's Storyline blog written by Allison Vesterfelt, and the other is from Proverbs 31 Ministries. Both blogs discuss the idea of forgiveness in a very counter-intuitive way: Thinking carefully before taking offense to begin with.

If you're sensitive like me, this is a bit radical, because when you feel things deeply you run into any number of people and situations every day that step on your metaphorical toes and elbow your emotional ribs. The universe [appears to be] constantly out to get you, and there's nothing more you'd love to do than come out swinging.

But both blogs ask us to consider the what's happening on the other end of the conversation or event.

They call us to consider that the other person may be dealing with their own crap-- and perhaps you  got caught in their storm, however nominally or violently. Maybe it wasn't personal, as in, they were out to get "you"; maybe they're mad at themselves or God or their parents and you were the person in their path.

These blogs aren't about not being sensitive, feeling individuals, nor are they about ignoring true hurt or pain or abuse. What they are about is wisdom and perspective in our relationships and circumstances. They encourage us to get out of our heads and get on with the life we WANT to live, not one where our present and future is defined by past offenses, real or imagined; horrible or petty.

One thing these blogs do not address are dealing with conflict directly; that's honestly another topic, and a very worthwhile one.These speak more to our process of perceiving conflict and reflecting on our heart's attitude-- a good place to begin.