forgive and forget, part 2

So this "forgive and forget" thing is a whole lot harder than I'd like it to be. It seems as though we as humans have an innate desire to criticize, compare, and convince ourselves that we are right and the other person is wrong. Once we've convinced ourselves of how wrong they are, we like to replay those thoughts in our head over and over so we can feel better about ourselves or remember exactly how wrong they were.

This morning I read Ephesians 3:20: "Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us...."

God is able to turn around every situation into something glorious, above-and-beyond our wildest dreams. That's amazing. That's the kind of God I serve. Sometimes I wish He wouldn't let situations get so bleak or frustrating before changing things, but then how much more glory does he receive when it restores someone from their death bed then restoring someone from a common cold?

I remind myself over and over that every person on this earth is here for reason and God has an amazing plan for them just as He has an amazing plan for me. If that person's plan and mine don't mesh like I think they should, then I really should move on and let them complete their plan God's way and I'll complete God's plan in my life.

I sometimes wonder what to do when I see something wrong in someone's life that I feel like I could help fix by pointing out the problem. Well, first, I have to make sure I'm following Matthew 7, which says don't judge the speck in someone else's eye when you have a log in your own. I have to get my attitude right about the situation. Second, Matthew 18 says if our brother sins against us, we should go to him and talk it over. Maybe, if the opportunity arises, it is something you should talk to them about, as long as you don't lambast for their stupidity and provide, instead, constructive criticism in love.

(I'm not sure that I want "talking to them" to be the answer. I'd much rather talk to them in my head and imagine a perfect conversation where they take my every critique to heart and become a better person because I offered my sage advice.)

So I don't have any massively huge conclusions here. Just wanted to say that "Forgive and forget" isn't easy, but somehow God creates beautiful plans out the ugly messes we find ourselves in.

Blessings!