Bill Hybels continues Chapter 5 of Simplify with the second category to help us determine our response to those who have wronged us.
CATEGORY 2: Legitimate wounds. Pastor Hybels notes Category 2 wrongdoings are more complex, leading to legitimate wound requiring resolution and healing. Sooner or later all of us experience legitimate wounds. They are a consequence of living in a sinful world.
When we’ve been wounded, wondering about justice is a legitimate question. As the innocent party, it only seems fair we should be compensated in some way. However, Pastor Hybels identifies two problems with this sort of worldly thinking:
a. seeking justice doesn’t provide anywhere near the satisfaction the aggrieved person believes it will
b. seeking revenge misdirects our energy focus and doesn’t lead to a simplified life
By itself, justice-seeking doesn’t lead to relational peace, although there is a time and a place for justice. At the end of the day, Bill stresses, each of us must come to terms with what has happened to us, and we must forgive. Clinging to a desire for justice and revenge costs our offender nothing. It only enslaves us. Pastor Hybels concludes:
“Forgiveness means we fully acknowledge the wrong that was done to us, grieve over what has been lost, and yet, eventually let the other person off the hook.”
Today’s question: If you have been able to forgive those responsible for your downsizing or vocation loss, who or what has been most instrumental in facilitating that process? Please share.
Tomorrow’s blog: the new Short Meditation, “Where’s the fire?”
