I know I need to forgive when...

I know I need to forgive when...

Do you remember the Jeff Foxworthy comedy routine, "You know you are a red neck if..."? Well we had some fun in a recent Practicing Forgiveness class when we answered the question, "I know I need to forgive when..." What was really fun was when several us of had the same answers! I've grouped the answers below. How many of these are true for you?

I know I need to forgive when...

My Focus
• My thoughts are focused on negative
• I'm focused on the unhappy dream
• I am obsessed
• I'm not present
• Being listen to by someone doesn't stop my mind's examination
• I rerun a conversation 10 times
• I plan strategies and replies
• I play a victim song in my head
• I can't wait to "share" my experience of being a victim
Negativity/Fear
• I am scared
• I get frustrated
• I am anxious
• I am angry or upset
• I'm yelling at someone I love
• I'm yelling
It's About Them
• I want the other person to change
• I'm judging someone else
• I'm seeing someone else as the problem
• I want someone else to go away
Activity
• I'm rushing to get to work on time
• I'm doing things that I know aren't in my best interest
Do you see yourself in this list or do you have your own special signs that say to you that forgiveness is the need? And what do you do when you know you need to forgive? What are your best strategies for remembering to forgive and for addressing your need to forgive? In an upcoming message I look forward to sharing best practices for forgiveness that members of the Practicing Forgiveness group said they used.

May this day be filled with our remembering the important role we play in God's plan for salvation and forgiveness!

In Joy,
Michael