Forgiveness:
Essential Key to Lasting Friendships
Be Tough Enough to Forgive
"Even
in technical lines such as engineering, about 15% of one's financial success
is due to one's technical knowledge, and about 85% is due to skill in human
engineering - to personality and the ability to lead people."
"The
ability to deal with people is as purchasable a commodity as sugar or coffee.
And I will pay more for that ability than for any other under the
sun." (John D. Rockefeller,
famous
American businessman and philanthropist)
I.
Getting ______________...
“Friendship
is like money – easier made than kept.” - Samuel Butler
II.
What Does It ___________ to Forgive?
Forgiveness
means neither getting even on the outside nor holding grudges on the inside.
True
Forgiveness, or Distorted Forgiveness?
-
"I
will forgive her. But I will never forget! (Distortion. Is holding
a grudge.)
-
"Although
he has repeatedly lied about me, I will still recommend him as school
principle since it would be wrong for me not to forgive him." (Distortion.
Since honesty is essential for good leadership, I should take his habitual
lying into consideration in my voting.)
-
"I don't get mad. I just get even!" (Distortion.
Obviously "getting even" shows lack of forgiveness.)
-
"I
don't get even. I just hold grudges inside." (Distortion.)
-
"Although
he has stolen from me in the past, I will forgive him and let him house-sit
for me while I'm on vacation." (Distortion. Taking into account a
person's record doesn't imply that I haven't forgiven him. Even if a known
child molester appeared repentant, I wouldn't allow him to baby sit my
children.)
Summary Thought:
If a relationship must change because of a person’s actions, it should not be
out of hate or resentment on my part.
III.
Why is it ______________ to Forgive?
1 - Our
physical
health can suffer.
2 – We are robbed of our joy.
3 - If
you start a pattern of unforgiveness, all your long-term __________________,
including your future marriage will suffer.
IV.
Getting ____________
V.
What If My Heart ______________ To Forgive?
A.
Realize
that people seldom "______ _____ _______" bad
acts and bad character.
B.
Look beneath the ___________.
(Copyright
August, 1997 by Legacy Educational Resources).
