Forgiveness
Posted: Sat Aug 02, 2014 10:51 am
Hi,
I live with a family member who wants me to trust them with my personal thoughts (and almost demands that I do), but has often said hurtful things (without realising it) such that I don't even trust them enough to be able to say that I don't trust them enough. And it means that I'm not even comfortable with expressing my opinions or even with talking about music and books I like. I forgive this person and choose to keep on showing them love instead of being spiteful, but I realise for me to be able to trust them, one of us would have to completely change their worldview, as this person's comments come straight out of it. It's difficult to have a relationship with someone when you can trust them to do many things for you but can't trust them to respect a simple difference in opinion or personal taste.
I will keep on forgiving this person, but I'm unsure of how to respond, as a Christian, in the long term. I fear that at some point I will have to let go of any relationship with this person (and possibly other family members) to follow the LORD- I think of when Jesus said that he came to divide houses, to put family member against family member. I'm the youngest person and only Christian in my household and although I will be able to meet more Christians in just under two months when I go to uni, this problem won't go away. Does anyone have any experience with this kind of thing? What can I do (as well as prayer) to be ready for such a decision?Also, what does the bible say on this?
Each New Dawn
I live with a family member who wants me to trust them with my personal thoughts (and almost demands that I do), but has often said hurtful things (without realising it) such that I don't even trust them enough to be able to say that I don't trust them enough. And it means that I'm not even comfortable with expressing my opinions or even with talking about music and books I like. I forgive this person and choose to keep on showing them love instead of being spiteful, but I realise for me to be able to trust them, one of us would have to completely change their worldview, as this person's comments come straight out of it. It's difficult to have a relationship with someone when you can trust them to do many things for you but can't trust them to respect a simple difference in opinion or personal taste.
I will keep on forgiving this person, but I'm unsure of how to respond, as a Christian, in the long term. I fear that at some point I will have to let go of any relationship with this person (and possibly other family members) to follow the LORD- I think of when Jesus said that he came to divide houses, to put family member against family member. I'm the youngest person and only Christian in my household and although I will be able to meet more Christians in just under two months when I go to uni, this problem won't go away. Does anyone have any experience with this kind of thing? What can I do (as well as prayer) to be ready for such a decision?Also, what does the bible say on this?
Each New Dawn