Again, there are many great verses to pick today but one of them has kind of stood out to me and it is verse 9 "Love prospers when a fault is forgiven, but dwelling on it separates close friends."
When someone disappoints us or actually hurts us, we have a choice to forgive them. I know some people who say they have forgiven but actual separation has come between them and you know there is no forgiveness in their heart. "Love prospers....." means that love you had for each other as friends will be just as strong as it was and, in some cases, can actually become stronger that ever before, when true forgiveness happens.
"Dwelling on it separates close friends." Have you ever had a friend who says they forgive you but they keep bringing up the "fault" that brought unforgiveness? I mean, it's like they can't get my that fact that you did something wrong and every chance they get they bring it up. Eventually that friendship is severed. You have to forgive and forget and that's when love comes back. I'm not saying it's easy and I wonder if it is possible without God in the middle of it. He says He forgets our Sin - as if it never happened - and takes it so far it's as far as the east is from the west - only He can forget like that. He is the restorer or the breach.
Let God help you forgive so Love can prosper once again and bring together that which has been separated. Once you have forgiven, let it drop, forget it and that friendship will be restored!!!
3 comments:
The verses that stuck out to me were the last two, verses 27-28: "He who has knowledge spares his words, and a man of understanding is of a calm spirit. Even a fool is counted wise when he holds his peace; when he shuts his lips, he is considered perceptive."
Sometimes, the best way to handle situations is to just not say too much, and have a calm spirit. We can walk in peace if we trust God no matter what we are going through. It says here in v. 28 that even a fool can look wise if he stays quiet regarding a matter. If we have wisdom, guarding our mouth is part of that and sometimes that is just the best way to respond to accusation, circumstance, issues, etc is just to keep quiet and take it to the Lord.
I have always LOVED that verse about how even a fool can look wise if she holds her tongue. That forgiveness stuff is good, too. Your friendship can come back even stronger. That is powerful forgiveness. Jesus-forgiveness.
The "sparing of words" exhortation is one I need constantly. Maybe it is a woman thing, but I know I say more than I need to. On the other hand, I need to say MORE when it comes to encouraging others. I realize I need it so others must need it too. When you are in leadership people just think you hear it all the time, I guess, but it means so much to me - especially when it comes from those I know the best. I know my kids still need to hear from me that I am proud of them - and my husband too. AND I have to remember that God is proud of me - He made me!!!
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