NOOSE

PRACTICE: Is there someone you need to forgive?

How does the question posed above relate to a noose? I caught your attention which was my goal. Let us take a few precious moments of your time and consider.

A noose is a rope looped with a running knot. The running knot allows the rope to tighten as it is pulled eventually taking the life out of something or taking the freedom of something (animal trap). A noose can be a symbol of intimidation. A noose is a knitting stitch. Another word for a noose is slipknot and probably a lot more palatable for you, the reader. I know it is for me.

Noose is the proper word in the context of thinking about forgiveness. When you or I take the position of not forgiving someone, that posture becomes a noose around our neck not the person. To not forgive can literally choke the life out of us…it can take away our freedom.

What does that look like? I may choose to stop attending family gatherings because someone that has offended me may be present (loss of freedom). Oftentimes the supposed offender does not know that they have offended. The choice to limit interaction with all those that I love because of the action of one, cuts me off from the fun and fellowship of all. Left unreconciled, the action of the offended –lack of participation in family gatherings- becomes a source of discussion and speculation. Discussion and speculation lead to overactive imaginations. Overactive imaginations can lead to lies which eventually begin to sound like truth. Fake truth is potentially the final death of a relationship. Each action in this scenario tightens the noose.

So, I ask again! Is there someone you need to forgive? Not for their sake but for yours. In my humble opinion, forgiving does not mean forgetting. Forgiving does not take away the pain caused by another. Forgiving does, in my humble opinion, allow one to separate the pain(action) from the person. Separating the pain from the person opens the door to healing…the sight of the person no longer has the potential to tighten the noose around my heart. Time has a way of healing any hurt if we work at it. As with any wound, the scar may remain. I ask again, “Is there someone you need to forgive?” Do not overlook yourself!!!

Matt: 6:14

PONDER THIS THOUGHT---It requires just as much to NOT forgive as it does TO forgive.