Forgiveness, Oh What A Feeling 3

A forgiven heart relieves stress. This statement is true especially when we have experienced the forgiveness that God offers to us. God's forgiveness is our example by which we are to follow. And we are to carry a forgiving heart into every relationship we have, including our family and friends. Today, let me speak for a moment about forgiving your friends. Our example comes from the Bible in the book of Job. Remember Job, he had it all plus God, and yet in a span of moments he lost all his wealth, family, and health. His friends show up to grieve with him, and for a week they do the best thing possible, they say nothing. But after the horror of the moment has passed, the three friends begin to "educate" Job about the reason he finds himself in such a terrible situation - "Job you must have done something very bad, very sinful!"

In every relationship you will learn that the object that produces most of our stress is the tongue. In fact, in this very story we see that God gave Satan permission to bring all these calamities upon Job, and yet the real pain and suffering did not come from the hands of Satan but rather from the tongues of these three 'friends'. From this story we learn to speak in every relationship, including our friends. First, always speak words that can be proven (Job 32:3b). The correction of the three friends seemed plausible, but the reality was they were wrong in their assumption of Job's situation. Second, always speak words that show mercy (Job 32:3). Job was called a hypocrite, a wicked man, and even ignorant by his friends, what would his enemies has said? Job replies that had roles been reversed, he would have encouraged and comforted them with his mouth (Job 16:1-ff). Third, always speak words based on truthful wisdom (Job 42:7-8). The three friends spoke from their own intelligent, but when God comes on the scene he tells them they they have spoken from a foolish heart. They boasted that they were speaking for God, but God did not agree with their words. From this lesson, we can clearly learn how to greatly relieve our stress when we watch what and how we speak to others. Always remember, "Since our words can do more harm than Satan's personal attack, let wisdom, truth, and mercy guide your words." Until next time, walk closely with Christ.