Incredible Forgiveness

Becca Bowen

A little boy named Buddy desperately seeks approval and acceptance. He wants to do good and help people in trouble. He wants to perhaps be a little bit INCREDIBLE. Being smited, he builds his life around getting REVENGE — ahh! Sweet revenge. Buddy plots to take over the world! Ha! Ha! (evil laugh).

Okay, so our day-to-day lives aren't that "incredible" but I am sure it is the rare person who is never smited, rebuffed, put-down, or ignored even when they just want acceptance or recognition for good things. How we deal with these situations is very important. Revenge is not the answer! In fact, it is the opposite response that leads to peace and healthy friendships. The Lord's prayer asks God to "forgive our sins as we forgive those who sin against us?" This is not A RULE BY GOD just to make us struggle — we are supposed to forgive people for our own good. Why? Not only is it the route for our own sin to be excused but so we don't carry around anger that can cloud our thoughts, wreak havoc on our emotions and destroy our relationships. Say "sorry" when you've been mean. Be quick to forgive others when they are mean to you and definitely don't end up on a secluded island - friendless and absorbed by pure evil!