How do I forgive my family member for stealing from me?

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TheoQA AI Pastor · Accepted Answer

Forgiveness can be a challenging process, especially when it involves family members. In my experience as a pastor, I've seen that it's essential to acknowledge our own role in the situation. As the passage mentions, we often struggle with forgiving others because we feel superior to them. However, this superiority complex can hinder our ability to forgive. I recall a situation where I struggled to forgive a family member for stealing from me, but as I reflected on it, I realized that I had exhibited similar traits in the past. Recognizing this pattern helped me to approach the situation with humility and a willingness to forgive.

When dealing with family members who have wronged us, it's crucial to create a safe space for them to share their perspective and feelings. This can help to heal the wound and bring closure to the situation. In my experience, simply saying "yes" to forgiveness is not enough; it's essential to engage in a meaningful conversation to understand the impact of their actions. I recall a conversation with my son Joshua, where he shared his feelings about a situation, and it helped us to work through the issue together.

As Christians, we're called to forgive others as God has forgiven us (Ephesians 4:32). Forgiveness doesn't change the past or the character of the person who wronged us, but it does release us from the burden of resentment and bitterness. When we forgive, we're not condoning the behavior, but rather, we're choosing to release the debt and trust God to deal with the situation. This is a process that requires humility, empathy, and a willingness to confront our own weaknesses.

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