Which is easier?

[SuperTech]

To heal a man that cannot walk or forgive sins? Jesus said the first part was easier and boy was he right!

I have a situation at work. I thought I was good friends with this female co-worker. I told her I wanted to talk to her privately and she promptly blew me off (twice) and ignored me (i.e. she didn't take 5 minutes out of her day to talk to me). She then started to be nice to me again after I started ignoring her, but again, she would not talk to me about the incident before! I continued to ignore her and to be unfriendly to her, hoping she would come talk to me like "what's wrong?". Instead, she has continued the ignore act and has acted very unfriendly herself.

I'm usually a friendly guy and this stuff has gone on for about month and half. It's really making me sick to my stomach to continue treating someone this way and it certainly is not Christian like.

However, this female has obviously be using and abusing me. I did so many things for this woman and for her treat me like this, well, it really hurts me and angers me. I believe I can forgive her, but I don't think that I should be so willing to be as nice as I once was. She isn't willing to talk about what happened before, so bringing closure to this mess is kind of hard. Even when Christ forgives my sins, I am truly sorry for what I have done. However, I think this woman thinks she did nothing wrong and even she knew, she probably doesn't care.

Did Jesus mean us to be sheep among wolves? I can forgive her, but not forget what she did until she apologizes. Am I wrong for feeling this way? Should I let myself continue to be abused? If I follow the Bible, that is exactly what will happen.

I'm am going to pray about this (which I what I should have been doing all along) and hope I get wisdom about this problem of mine.

Thanks for listening.

 

[silentpoet]

Treat people the way Jesus did. Forgive and serve. However service might be to gently and kindly show her the error of her ways. not in the way of revenge or rudely correcting her. But more in the way of a kind teacher or gentle parent correcting a precious child. Pray and meditate on it.

As for the wolves among sheep remark it may mean to be agressive and choose prey(for witnessing) wisely. Or it could be more along the lines of being a sheepdog. I choose the sheep dog role myself for no pay.

 

[Rafael]

It's hard to control our hurt feelings, but it can be a real opportunity to grow stronger in the Lord. Pray that the Lord makes you pleasant to be around at work - helpful and caring, yet not entrusive. Let her have it her way and wait upon the Lord. I know, I'm impatient, myself, and want to work things out, pronto, but there are some things that take patience and longsuffering - both being fruits of the Holy Spirit.
Pray and hang in there for the Lord. I'll pray for you too and agree that you'll get a handle on the situation as the Lord sees it.
God bless...

Galatians 5:22 But when the Holy Spirit controls our lives, he will produce this kind of fruit in us: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
23 gentleness, and self-control.

 

[fishstix]

Did Jesus mean us to be sheep among wolves? I can forgive her, but not forget what she did until she apologizes.

Chances are that even if she does apologize it isn't going to cause you to forget.

 

[christdriven]

Its never easy to forgive someone who has caused you such great pain. But just think about what Jesus Christ did for you. He died for you. He forgave you. If Jesus Christ can forgive us for what we've done to him. And what we've done is hold him upon that cross with our sins. If he can forgive us for that, than no matter what anyone else has done to you, you should be able to forgive him as Christ has forgiven you.

Who cares if this girl is going to continue to act the way she has. That is between her and God. What matters for you is the way you're going to act and deal with this situation. If you know you're treating her with love and respect like you're called, than maybe it wont bug you as much anymore. Forgive her like God has called us to. Love her, just as God has called us to. We are supposed to love even our enemies. Maybe if you show her love, paitence and kindness her hard heart may slowly fade away and she might be more willing to talk to you about whatever circumstance is causing this pain for both of you.
If we refuse to forgive others, than cant God refuse to forgive us?
God calls us to forgive, but I dont believe that we'll ever be able to forget the pain people cause us.

 

[SuperTech]

Thanks for the encouragement!

I turned off the "ignore mode yesterday" and she started to talk to me again. She even offered to help me out today on a project.

Yes, I know Jesus died for my sins, but apart from God I cannot forgive this woman on my own. The flesh will not allow it. I also think that Jesus gave Mathew 5:38-45 (turn the other cheek, etc) to show his disciples that no one could fulfill the law of God.

I confess before God and He forgives me. This woman will probably never confess her wrongdoing and boy is that hard to forgive, but with God's help I will!

And if the opportunity ever presents itself, I pray I will not blast this woman with my tongue about her behavior.