Bitterness or Forgiveness? It's a Choice

Have you ever offered an idea and then felt like someone's response was a direct attack? 

At a recent meeting, that happened to me. I made a suggestion. And then someone squashed it—not critiqued—but stomped it to death.

Okay, I know that sounds dramatic, but that's exactly how it felt.

How do you react? Do you blurt out an ugly response? Do you check them off your mental friend list? Do you vow to squash their next suggestion?

I'm not quite sure what my face displayed as my head flooded with a bombardment of emotions. Shock, hurt, anger? I hope my face played it cool because on the inside I churned with reactions.

The little girl inside of me wanted to run for the hills. While the defiant teenager in me, wanted to shout, "That was so rude. You need major help with your social skills."

I confess I can be quite sensitive. I really try not to be, it just happens. And then misery usually moves in.

My normal response is to live the scene over and over in my mind. Each time deep feelings arise—like how inadequate I am or extreme anger at the assault or confusion on why I deserved such venom. It begins to feel like self-directed misery missiles launched by my own brain.

But not this time.

On the way home from the meeting, I prayed and sensed the Holy Spirit saying, "You have a choice."  

Instantly, I realized I do have a choice. I can be bitter and offended or I can choose forgiveness and move on.

So every time the memory resurrected and the emotions bubbled up, I said to myself, "I chose not to be offended. I chose forgiveness."

God doesn't want me filled with animosity or misery. Instead He offers, "The peace of God, which transcends all understanding, (which) will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Phil. 4:7.

Yep, the dramatic emotional flames diminished into a smoky pile of ash. 

Forgiveness began flooding compassion toward the other person.

It's a new day. Why not live it in a new way? Not only is my mind at ease, but my face is smiling.

Thanks be to God!

What about you? Have you ever felt attacked by someone's words or actions? How did you overcome? Please share.

Living the Garden Life, Tammy Van Gils plants words and sprouts insightful stories blooming with hope. She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and a guest blogger.