People that live
closest to us seem to have the greatest potential to hurt us. Someone
mistreats, annoys, or irritates us. Perhaps it’s what someone didn’t do or say that causes our rights
to rise up and protest. When you feel hurt, stop and think.
Anger is not the
solution. Neither is lashing out with gossip, withdrawing, taking revenge, or
growing bitter. Forgiveness is the better way. As Corrie Ten Boom said,
“Forgiveness is the key that unlocks the door of resentment and the handcuffs
of hatred. It is the power that breaks the chains of bitterness and the
shackles of selfishness.”
When the Nazi’s
occupied Holland, Corrie Ten Boom’s family hid Jews in their home.
Consequently, they were sent to a concentration camp where millions were tortured,
raped, and killed. Prison guards stood by mocking, sneering at women’s naked
bodies as they shuffled to the showers.
Corrie survived, but her sister succumbed to the abuse. Corrie’s hate
for one particular guard intensified.
