• Starting today August 7th, 2024, in order to post in the Married Couples, Courting Couples, or Singles forums, you will not be allowed to post if you have your Marital status designated as private. Announcements will be made in the respective forums as well but please note that if yours is currently listed as Private, you will need to submit a ticket in the Support Area to have yours changed.

  • CF has always been a site that welcomes people from different backgrounds and beliefs to participate in discussion and even debate. That is the nature of its ministry. In view of recent events emotions are running very high. We need to remind people of some basic principles in debating on this site. We need to be civil when we express differences in opinion. No personal attacks. Avoid you, your statements. Don't characterize an entire political party with comparisons to Fascism or Communism or other extreme movements that committed atrocities. CF is not the place for broad brush or blanket statements about groups and political parties. Put the broad brushes and blankets away when you come to CF, better yet, put them in the incinerator. Debate had no place for them. We need to remember that people that commit acts of violence represent themselves or a small extreme faction.

Learning to forgive (again!)

deena111

Well-Known Member
Mar 1, 2006
1,226
29
✟1,516.00
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Married
Politics
US-Republican
Hello friends :wave: ,

I am in a situation where the same people have hurt me over and over. They say they are sorry and I have forgiven them in the past but they have once again betrayed my trust and my family's. My husband says to give them another chance but other Christian pastors I respect say that we have to practice discernment. My heart is confused. I don't want to be hardhearted but I also don't want to participate in foolishness.

Please pray that i may gain wisdom regarding these people. I want to follow God's will but I do not have the heart to reconcile with them. I tell my husband that I am no longer angry and bitter about them (I used to be) and I can now pray for them. I just don't want to reconnect and reconcile (my husband wants to).

Please pray for me and if you have any advice I would like to hear it. Thanks and God bless you all!
 

faithopelove

Veteran
Mar 21, 2006
1,987
953
68
✟28,821.00
Faith
Charismatic
Marital Status
Politics
US-Republican
When I'm in situations like this I will limit the amount of time I spend with that person. I would still be there for them if they needed me but I cut way down on the amount of fellowship. I don't know what kind of friendship you had before, but you may have to re-define it in some way. Guard your heart, so you won't become bitter again.

I'm praying for you.
 
Upvote 0

cavell

Senior Veteran
Jan 14, 2006
3,481
409
85
Yorkshire, England
✟34,982.00
Gender
Male
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Married
Politics
UK-Conservative
To discover that folks in Church, Christian friends, can suddenly and without warning abuse you, in word or in deed can be very hurtful. You will recall that "Longsuffering" is one of the fruits of the Holy Spirits indwelling. From what you have said you have excerised 'longsuffering' already in this relationship. Now you have been offended again.

As brothers and sisters in the Lord, and members of the same fellowship etc. bitterness is out of the question. I read your husband's desire to give them "another chance" That is Christlike......

However..... if it were me I would now limit the relationship to that of Christians together in the church. That means speaking to them, acknowleging them, shaking their hand with a "GOd Bless You" etc.

But the personal and the more intimate friendship would now have to cease. Not wishing them any harm of course, but now relating to others as the Lord leads.

The relationship of Jesus with His disciples differed from one to another. He loved them all to the same degree, but only one leaned upon His bosom, only three were allowed on the Transfiguration mount. Not that I am saying that we should see this as a precedent in our relationships. But it just came to mind as I write, and it shows us that we are not all the same. Or can have the same degree of fellowship.

Live is too short to run with people who prove to be untrue. You need better friends....... I am sure the Lord will lead you as you continue to look to Him.

God Bless You......and praying
 
Upvote 0