A Lifestyle of ForgivenessSample

A Sample List

Here are just a few examples of the everyday irritations that happen to all of us – things that may irritate or drive us nuts, but that we might consider forgiving instantly.

· Drivers in the left lane. This is my own personal pet peeve. I live in a city, and most of the time there are two lanes for traffic…why do the slow drivers insist on clogging up the left lane? I’m in a hurry here, people! I have a choice – I can drive behind them, impatient and irritated, talking to them and about them (“Hey buddy, are you the only one on the road? Are you paying any attention at all? Move over!”) or I can bless and forgive them. Because really, does my impatience do any good? Or does it just make my blood pressure go up and feed my habit of unforgiveness? Forgive them, Lord. Bless them.

· Neighbors. There are endless things a neighbor can do to tick you off. Loud dogs. Loud music. Loud shouting. Any and all forms of loud. Messy yard. Bright lights shining when you’re trying to sleep. Letting their dog poop in your yard. Leaving their garbage cans out. Parking where they shouldn’t. Complaining about you being too loud, or letting your dog run loose, or not mowing your yard, or setting off firecrackers, or parking where you shouldn’t. How’s it been going, being mad about it? Maybe forgiving would work better…and be a better witness…and allow God to move in the situation. Matthew 19:19 says You shall love your neighbor as yourself. It doesn’t say “if they deserve it.”

· Those in your household. The people we’re around the most are the ones who have the most potential to irritate, offend, or hurt us. We spend a lot of time with them and we expect more out of them. But people will always disappoint and irritate us (even loved ones) – just as we disappoint and irritate them. Rather than holding onto those irritations (or using them as weapons in the next argument) what if we aimed for peace and just forgive quickly and easily? James 3:17 says, Real wisdom, God’s wisdom, begins with a holy life and is characterized by getting along with others. It is gentle and reasonable, overflowing with mercy and blessings, not hot one day and cold the next…(MSG).