A Critical Component

In the midst of emotional turmoil and pain, one key ingredient must be on one’s ongoing “to do” list throughout tragedy. Without this critical component, no sense of peace may ensue. Mistakes are made on all counts as one reels from the hardships of suffering. No one is immune from making errors that rage throughout the fires of affliction.

Through all the challenges of enduring and surviving a family tragedy, all the players involved need to look at one spiritual resource—forgiveness. Sometimes forgiveness is asked by the offender; another perpetrator sees no need to make amends. Whether motivated from active aggression, abandonment or ignorance, forgiveness is essential even if not requested by the offender.

Forgiveness is not easy. It takes prayer and communion with God: realizing as He is ready to forgive His followers so must we do the same with those personally violating us. By seeing Christ on the cross innocently bleeding for our sins, forgiveness, by faith, can happen.

It often takes time for the forgiving feelings to follow especially if the relationship continues to be strained. However, God honors the forgiving heart by extending His love and peace to us amidst the pain and suffering.

Addendum: After this recent post went online, a good friend called to remind me that for the believer forgiveness is not an option.  Check out Matthew 18:21-35…Thanks, Earl!

Beware….

In the book of Job, his friends learn of Job’s multiple devastations. Initially they sit silently before him and grieve by his side. After they deem that the grieving has ended, each one has something to say. Unfortunately for Job and them, it would have been best for them to remain silent. Their advice conjured up criticisms of Job along with faulty reasons for his suffering.

One must choose friends carefully when embarking upon a dark night of the soul. Those with casual, unsolicited advice, beware. Unless one has experienced devastating life events and successfully survived them through Christ, one may have not won the right to offer any advice to other sufferers.

In suffering, you will quickly learn who your real friends and family are. You will recognize those sticking by you offering not their unsolicited counsel but their loving, personal support and prayers. So in undergoing severe trials, beware and choose your real friends very carefully!

In the end of the book of Job, this suffering servant had to forgive his friends; and they had to repent before restoration dawned. As we forgive and go forward with God, He will restore and help us despite the suffering hurts others have inflicted upon us.  Praise God!