Forgive One Another Freely - ANALYZE YOUR EMOTIONS

Emotional respnses to real or supposed offenses can be very strong.  Consider the following reaction of one young man, as described in a study on anger: "Once . . . in an angry fit, I walked out of the house vowing I would never return. It was a beautiful summer day, and I walked far along lovely lanes, till gradually the stillness and beauty calmed and soothed me, and after some hours I returned repentant and almost melted."  As this experience illustrates, giving yourself time to  calm down and view the situation more dispassionately may you to avoid responding in an unforgiving way that you may later regret. - PSALM 4:4; PROVERBS 14:29; JAMES 1:19, 20. 

What, though, if a negative emotion  persists?  Try to determine why are upset. Is it because you  have been treated unfairly, perhaps discourteously?  Or is it because you feel that the other person deliberately attempted to hurt you?  Was his or her action really so bad? Analyzing and understanding the reason for your reaction will allow you to consider what would be the best and Scripturally proper response.  (Read Proverbs 15:28; 17:27.)  Such  reasoning may help you to  be more objective and willing to forgive.  By adopting such an approach, difficult though it may be, you permits God's word to examine the "thoughts and intentions of [your] heart" and guide you in imitating Jehovah's forgiving attitude.  - HEBREWS 4:12.

SHOULD YOU TAKE IT PERSONALLY?

Many situations in life  provoke negative  reactions.  While you are driving your automobile, for instance, suppose another care nearly collides with your vehicle. How will you react?   You have read about episodes of road rage in which an individual  became so angry that he attacked the other driver.  As a Christian, however, you certainly would not want to do such a thing. 

How much better it would be to take a moment to analyze matter.  Perhaps you were partly to blame for what took place because you were distracted in some way. Or the other driver my have had a mechanical problem with his car.  The  point of this scenario is that we can lessen anger, disappointment, and other negative emotions with understanding, open-mindedness, and a willingness to forgive.  "Do not hurry yourself in your spirit to become offended," says Ecclesiastes 7:9, for the taking of offense  is what rests in the bosom of he stupid ones."  Do not take things so personally. On many occasions, what may be thought of as a deliberate personal offense is nothing of the sort; it is just a result of imperfection or a misunderstanding. Try to be open-minding regarding what seemed to be unkind acts or word, and be willing to forgive out of love. You will be happier if you succeed. - Read 1 PETER  4:8. 

Next time: Forgive One Another Freely - 'MAY YOUR PEACE RETURN TO YOU'

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