It's much more important for your well-being than you may have thought it was.
(Genesis 42-43) (ESV) Here, we have the story of Joseph's reunion with the brothers who sold him to the Midianite caravan all those years ago. They've come to Egypt to buy grain because of the famine. Benjamin, his younger brother, stayed behind with Jacob. Jacob, remember, thought Joseph was dead. Benjamin was the other son born to him by Rachel.
Joseph didn't let the brothers know who he was. They didn't recognize him. He recognized them, though. He insisted they return with their brother, Benjamin. He also kept Simeon back and in custody until their return. They finally got Jacob to agree to let Benjamin go with them. They made a second trip to Egypt; this time brining a gift for Joseph as well.
We can see that Joseph was not one to hold grudges. We're told that he wept over his brothers. He also had their money put back in their sacks when they left the first time. (Matt. 6:12) "Forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors." (Matt. 18:21-27, 34), (Luke 11:14) "And forgive us our sins; for we also forgive every one that is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil." It would have been evil for Joseph to refuse them grain. It would have been evil for Joseph to have them killed or incarcerated. (Matt. 6:14-15) That part of the Lord's prayer tells us that, as God has said, "Vengeance is mine, and I will repay." (Heb. 10:30)
It's very easy to want to exact vengeance on those who hurt or harm us. It isn't easy not to want to. That takes a heart that just looks to God, and refuses to be swayed by the evil they've done us. (Luke 21:28) tells us to "look up for our salvation, or redemption, is drawing near." Pain, anger, mourning, and the like, can all cause extreme turmoil within us. The heart of man is, really, a fragile thing. It's also a fickle thing. It will trick even its owner. That's why we're to look at God's heart. His heart for us is the same heart He wants us to have for one another. When we determine to follow God's Word and His Way, we may still hurt, we may still be angry, we may still mourn the losses. But, the turmoil will not be able to affect us adversely. It will have no power over us. (1Cor. 10:23) (Psalm 4:4) "Be angry, and do not sin; ponder in your own hearts on your beds, and be silent. Selah" Verse 5 says, "Offer the sacrifices of the righteous and trust in the LORD." Is that awesome?! (Eph. 4:26),(Psalm 119:161), (Job 28:28), (Proverbs 3:7), (Proverbs 16:6, 17), (2cor. 13:15)
**Please remember that forgiveness does not mean you have to allow someone to continue to hurt or harm you; nor do you have to allow that person back into your inner circle if they're going to continue to do those things. Your safety is important!
Love you from Café du Mondieu Copyright by Marina Morrison (aka) Eden Stillwater, January 4, 2023, 11:11 a.m.
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