Monday, February 9, 2009

turn the other cheek.

I don't even feel like writing right now and I can't come up with any nice way to start this post other than to say I don't feel like it. But I need to because God spoke some awesome stuff yesterday in church that ties together everything I've been praying about lately.

So I feel like God's been calling me to sell my car and get rid of the debt I owe on it, buy something way cheaper. Then I get rear-ended on the freeway and I ask "OK, what's up, God?" Later that day I talk about it on the show, asking "What would you do if you felt God leading one direction and then wammo! an obstacle appears?" A couple hours later, I received an email from a lady that really discouraged me. I was hurt, frustrated cause she seemed to miss my point and wanted to be upset. But then I presented it to you and your responses were so mind blowing and perspective changing. You can read it all here.

I've also been praying, writing and trying to figure out my response to someone who not only hurt me, but then completely cut me out awhile back. I felt because so much time passed, I'd resolved this in my heart but when this friend recently contacted me out of the blue to offer a simple apology, I realize again how deeply it affected me. I felt twinges of anger rise up and a definite sense of loss but felt so conflicted in how to respond.

This Sunday a speaker was supposed to have flown in from Portland to share with the congregation but he got sick and instead Chris very obediently shared from his heart. He started telling stories about adults he knew as a kid and how he saw them in their Christian walk/lifestyle - honest and real vs. ignorant and in denial. He then went on to pose the question to us, how do we want to live our lives so that children see us and say "That is the kind of Christian I want to be like..." Full of forgiveness, peace, understanding and Luke 17.

"So each of you needs to be careful. Instead of encouraging wrongdoing in any way, be a person who overcomes wrongdoing. If your brother sins against you, confront him about it, and if he has a change of mind and heart then forgive him. Even if he wrongs you seven times in a single day, if he turns his back to you each time and says he's sorry and will change, you must forgive him."

And there's the answer of how to respond when someone hurts or wrongs you. I don't think it's easy, but I'm sure the more you practice and breathe in this teaching and law, it will be become more habit.

Plus, that's just what Jesus would do :)

8 comments:

Lynn Valdez said...

Liz. I can honestly say from experience that you ARE the forgiving type of person. You have the qualities that you described you are looking to be. And, you are so open and honest. You have such a wonderful combination of traits and such an easy going personality. If you anger easily, then you are no different than most people. Let me just say that I cannot imagine life without being your friend.

Anonymous said...

I think sometimes the breakups that are the most difficult to get over are friendships. They seem to get at the core of us. Unlike when a guy breaks up with us--where we can justify it--not compatible, wrong timing, mismatched interest, different goals, not "the one" God has for us, etc. A friend is someone who is supposed to love, encourage unconditionally. When that doesn't happen, for whatever reason, it feels more personal somehow. Or at least that's how it's been for me.

Your blog is such an encouragment for me, and such an example. Thanks for being so honest and posting this, I needed it.

3 Zepeda's said...

Wow Liz - you may not have wanted to write that but you did and it may have been just for me. Just a few hours ago I threw my hands up and said "I WANT OUT of this job!" I've endured things from a boss that are probably not a big deal to others but they have effected me to the point where I give up. But your post, so crisp and kind, gentle and forward, reminded me to brush myself off and hang in there. If you wrote it to be obedient, well done. Your words were just what I needed to read to encourage me not to give up.

Thank you!

Heidi said...

Thanks Liz for posting this. I have recently gone through a similar story. I am having a hard time "turning the other cheek" in this situation as this person has not (nor does it appear will ever) apologize for their wrong doings because this person does not see it as a wrong doing. That is difficult to handle when you felt betrayed and verbally violated and then never hear the words "i'm sorry". I am doing the Beth Moore study on "Esther" and a few weeks ago we talked about mean girls-Beth stated that a mean girl will never apologize. We all have a "mean" streak in us but it is what we do with that streak that matters. Do we apologize for any meanness we may portray or do we justify our actions? I never hear you justifing your actions on the show-you wear your heart on your sleeve. You are being real and honest and transparent--that is a true indicator of a Christian... walking the walk and trying to get it right every step of the way.

Brittany said...

Dang! You got me!!! Good stuff... hard, but good!

Anonymous said...

I just pray God continues to work on you. No one should ever judge another, but by mentioning that lady's comment again, you are not only reading way into it, but you are trying to find a selfish way to validate what made you drustrated. I think it was you that missed the point she was trying to make, not the other way around. Just a thought...

Liz Jordan said...

Bomiml, thanks for being honest and expressing your concern. By mentioning her comment again I was merely following up with something I was excited to share from church that afternoon, I felt I was very clear that I misread her initially and was the one who needed an attitude adjustment. I was not selfishly validating anything... kinda harsh, don't you think?

Becky Kiser said...

thanks for sharing that! i am going through a VERY similar situation and really wasn't sure how to respond to it.I needed to hear the last part of the verse: "even if he (or she) wrongs you seven times in a single day, if he turns his (or her) back to you each time and says sorry and will change, you must forgive." ouch... sometime the truth is painful! thanks for sharing!