Kansasfamily

No. You pray for them. This does not mean you have to let them into your life and certainly not befriend someone who constantly uses, abuses or hurts you in some way. If a person is hurting a child in front of you and you get angry, I'd hardly say you are under his power. Was Jesus being controlled by someone when He was angrily casting people out of the Temple? No. That phrase makes no sense whatsoever. I wouldn't say that "He who angers you controls you" as there is righteous indignation. But it is surely true that a person that you are bitter toward controls you because you spend all your time with your focus on that person. And what's really funny is that if you end up really bitter toward a person and you focus all your attention on that person, you will become like the object of your focus. You may not do exactly what that person does, but you will pick up their root attitudes. And to make matters worse is that bitterness spills out onto everyone that you come into contact with and shows on a person's face.

I don't know what God wanted me to learn from it, but I learned to NEVER trust that snake again, and hopefully that guy learns to never try to invade marriages again by preying on weak-minded wives, which thankfully, my wife is not (This guy is 100% responsible for dissolving a troubled marriage that was fully repairable, by encouraging the wife to divorce, by sick twisting of Scripture; need I mention that this guy later became sexually involved with that woman?). I believe that sometimes the best thing is just to simply take things at face value and not try to find deeper meanings behind them. God revealed a poisonous snake, my job is to not get bit by it. You know, you feel the same resentment toward that man that I felt in my marriage and until you come to terms with the face that you are resentful about it and give it to the Lord and until you realize and accept that God is 100% omnipotent and could have stopped it if He had so chosen, but allowed it for a purpose, then you will miss the lesson and the blessing.

I developed a very close friendship with a person that lives miles and miles away from me. Half a country. It is extremely hard sometimes to be apart and not be able to see them in person. But I wouldn't give it up for anything in this world.

I heard a pastor say once that you know that you have forgiven a person when you can think about that person and not get any ill feelings inside. I had a situation come up in my marriage that took me years and the counsel of a very dear friend before I even realized that first of all, I was still carrying it with me and then he helped me to forgive all that and to let go of it. Then we ran into another situation in our marriage where honestly I can say that my husband has been the most awesome example of forgiveness that I have ever seen! He has gone above and beyond what I believe most people would have done in the same situation. He has truly been an inspiration to me in that regard. I don't know that I would have learned what forgiveness was without the counsel of my very dear friend and the example set by my dear husband. Forgiveness is looking at a situation through God's eyes and knowing that nothing and I mean nothing is allowed to come into the life of the believer without first being sifted through the fingers of a loving God. There is a reason behind every single circumstance that touches the life of a Christian. And He promises in His Word that ALL things work together for good, to those that love Him, who have been called according to His purpose. Nothing happens outside of God's control and so when a person is allowed to come into our lives and wreak havoc, there is a reason for that and God is still in complete control and has a purpose for it. We may not always know that reason this side of eternity and I have learned that God almost never answers why He lets something happens, but He will always answer, What do you want me to learn from this?

I would have to say that those kind of things happen. We live in a fallen sinful world and as long as we do, people will do wicked things. There will always be things like this happening as long as the earth remains.

You don't have to trust someone to forgive them. Forgiveness is not dependant on anything. And when someone has wronged us, it's not important whether or not we trust them, but rather, do we trust God enough to forgive that person and let Him handle the rest? Trusting Him to work all things together for our good and His glory. Trusting that no hurt is allowed to come into our lives that is not sifted through His loving fingers. Knowing this, forgiveness not only comes much easier, but it also makes it easier to trust the Lord with our trials and there outcome.

Don't I know it. They're still mysterious and have those womanly ways that I wish I could marry. But they're all "just friends" and they marry jerks who order them around, then whine to me about it because they know I will listen. I cut most of them off because I just can't take it anymore. Sorry guys, I just have to jump in here. I read this and my heart drops. We're not all that way. I know myself, I long to have a man that lifts me up and plays the role of the knight in shining armour. The "jerks" have no draw for me at all. I found a man like you describe yourself as and I will cherish him always. I really do not understand women these days. They seem to cut off their nose to spite their face. I have a friend that tells me the same thing you're telling me about women and I just cannot hardly comprehend it. I am sorry that you feel this way, but please know, there are a few left that are not like as you have run into.

What do I think of men? The one I love completes me. He's my lover, my best friend, my playmate, my very heart and soul. He looks deep into me and sees what bothers me. Then he lovingly corrects me and calms my fears. He tries to show he loves me in every way and tells me that he loves me all through the day. He makes me feel cherished, loved, looked after and protected. The one I love is the pinnacle of romance and male chivalry. He sets me on a pedastal and keeps me there. Always building me up, encouraging me. He is my knight. The one my heart longs for. I would not be complete without him. God made woman for the man. To be his helper. I hope that I am his helpmeet. I long to be a Proverbs 31 woman for him. It is my priveledge, my hearts desire to be the source for his encouragement, his strength, and his fulfillment. To be the object of his affection. To tantelize his senses. To fulfill his every desire. To be his for a life time would not be long enough. I read a couple of posts that said that men are good for fixing things. While this is true, what kind of wife would I be if I was not in the middle of it helping him? Handing him tools? Keeping him company? I long to be with mine in whatever he does.