“Wounds from a friend can be trusted, but an enemy multiplies kisses.”- Proverbs 27:6
Today June Hunt concludes her discussion of seven strategies you can use to retrain your brain to forgive.
5. Practice forgiving the daily wrongs. Ms. Hunt points out that our daily lives are filled with routine affronts. If we are unable to forgive the small stuff, it is unlikely we will forgive the big stuff- and vice versa.
But God’s forgiveness has nothing to do with the offense. God’s forgiveness has everything to do with Him. God forgives because He is a forgiving God. Jesus means forgiveness to be your way of life. Forgiveness isn’t just reserved for extraordinary times.
6. Surround yourself with supportive people who tell you the truth. June states that, following a wounding, it is natural to seek out people who will apply the “salve of sympathy.” However, the healing medicine of a listening ear can turn into a rehashing of the painful events and/or a bashing of the offender(s). Ms. Hunt explains what we truly need:
“What we need are friends who help us rethink our thoughts- friends who challenge us to not stay in the rut of unforgiveness, friends who will counsel us to forgive even when we don’t feel like it.”
7. Turn thought into action. June boldly asserts that while it is easy to say you have forgiven your offender, the proof lies in what you are willing to do about it. Ms. Hunt suggests that once you’ve retrained your brain and opted to forgive, give the offender a gift.
Counselor Robert Enright explains that “by giving a gift to the one who hurt us, we break the power that person has over us.” Gift-giving does not reward the guilty. It helps us adopt the heart and mind of Jesus.
Today’s question: Which of June’s seven steps or strategies do you need to implement? Please share.
Tomorrow’s blog: “Real forgiveness”