Forgiveness - An Upside Down Philosophy
Is Revenge Really Sweet, Or Does It Torment The Soul?
When betrayal hits ones life, the last thing considered in the heat of the moment is forgiveness! In fact, revenge flows instinctively. The moment I heard the truth, a surge of anger burned hot and ugly.I remember driving my car to the other woman’s house with only one thought in mind. I was not going to be the only one in pain. For the first time in my adult life, I wanted to lash out on every level…and do real damage. I know…not very Christian, but oh so true.
I could not get there fast enough.
She was going to pay.
Oh was she going to pay.
Inconveniently the Spirit of God did not leave me. Where Satan had dealt a horrific blow, God was at work too. Two opposite mindsets went to war. The Spirit of God demanded I remember my Christianity and live it, the flesh screamed out for revenge.
As I marched up and slammed my fists against her door, these opposing forces still clambered for dominance. In that moment, I truly did not want to be a Christian.
But God would not leave me. He asked me one question…
Would I confront her…His way?
You will have to read the account in Kernels of Hope: Real People, Real Stories by Bob and Gail Kaku, now available for purchase at Amazon.com.
The answer to that question was yes, the results unbelievable, but forgiveness went against every fiber of my human makeup.
God’s ways are upside down and backwards. They run contrary to this world, yet are powerful, vibrant and life giving.
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the LORD. Isaiah 55:8
Forgiveness is God’s idea. Revenge is Satan’s.
Forgiveness brings freedom, revenge brings captivity.
Forgiveness sets the captive free. (The person held captive is the one holding onto bitterness and revenge.)
Forgiveness is often toted as weakness, when in truth it takes far more strength and power to forgive than to give into the natural path of revenge.
I do not want to paint an unrealistic picture. Forgiveness in the case of infidelity took time. Over and over I had to choose to do it God’s way and lay down the rod of revenge each time Satan brought the injustice of their sin before me.
It took time and obedience, but the day did come when Satan gave up trying to tantalize and romanticize the temptation of revenge. The desire to hurt those who hurt me subsided, and a beautiful gift replaced that ugly urge…God’s peace.
This peace is waiting for you my friend.
Give your pain to God. Do not be surprised by His command to forgive. Accept His power and help… and enjoy sweet peace instead of torment.
When you subscribe to the blog, we will send you an e-mail when there are new updates on the site so you wouldn't miss them.
About the author
Blossom Turner is an award-winning novelist, and a free-lance writer published in Chicken Soup and Kernels of Hope anthologies, and former newspaper columnist on health and fitness. A Word Guild semi-finalist for Anna's Secret, Katherine's Arrangement, Amelia’s Heartsong, and a Word Guild winner for Best Romance for Lucinda’s Defender. She has found her home in the writing of historical fiction but is open to wherever God leads. The many 5-star reviews attest to the power of love and romance authentically woven into the Shenandoah Bride Series about five sisters and their five love stories.
Blossom lives in British Columbia, Canada, with her husband, David, of forty years and their dog Lacey named after Lacey Spring, Virginia, where this series takes place. A former businesswoman, personal trainer, and mother of two grown children she is now pursuing her lifelong dream of writing full-time. A hopeless romantic at heart, she believes all story should give the reader significant entertainment value. However, her writing embodies the struggles of real life. She infuses the reality of suffering with the hope of Christ to give a healthy dose of relatable encouragement to her reader. Her desire is to leave the reader with a yearning to live for Christ on a deeper level, or at the very least, create a hunger to seek for more.
Co-author Suzie Zanewhich
Suzie is a certified life coach, leader of emotional health, and resource specialist. She has found her niche as a soul coach.
Suzie finds purpose in empowering individuals to move towards growth, healing, and alignment with their authentic self. Suzie is driven by a calling to live authentically, as the person God created her to be, to reach her fullest potential and lead others to do the same. Her passion is to help others find meaning through discovering their strengths, gifts, personality, temperament and core values.
Suzie is a life-long learner, continuously immersing herself in new courses to learn more about human behaviour, relationships, psychology, child development, emotions, trauma and healing. Because of her craving to always learn more she has earned the title of resource specialist in the area of self-discovery.
Suzie Zanewich lives with her husband in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. She has a patchwork family of four grown children, two daughters, two sons and three granddaughters.
Comments