Joseph's brothers sold him
into slavery because they hated him. They never imagined they would need to be
forgiven for their betrayal. An American World War II soldier told how he
survived the Bataan death march and years of brutality while a prisoner of war
in Japan. He survived by hating his tormentors and thinking of his own plans
for future revenge.
After decades of hating his
tormentor, this soldier was able to meet him while visiting Japan. Listening to
his tormentor’s story of personal torment and tragedy he’d endured since the
war, the soldier’s hatred evaporated as his cold heart was filled with
compassion. Hatred may initially feel like a friend, but it becomes an obstacle
to forgiveness.
Wrong
thinking prevents you from enjoying God’s blessings and love. Being unwilling
to forgive is based on a false belief that it will punish those responsible for
the hurt you feel. By contrast, forgiveness clears the way for constructive,
healthy thinking and a clean heart. Then you are capable of being forgiven by the
Lord God who loves you.
___________________________
Whoever
claims to be in the light, and yet continues to hate his bother is still in
darkness. Whoever continues to love his brother is always in the light, and he
is no hindrance to others. But whoever continues to hate his brother is in
darkness and is living in darkness, and he does not know where he is going,
because the darkness has blinded his eyes.
~1 John 2:9-11 Williams
– New Testament in the Language of the People