I was having a conversation with my aunt last night about my cousin who is struggling with drug addiction. He has lost a huge amount of his life due to meth. This saddens me immensely but what saddens me the most is the unforgiving attitude that many in my family have taken towards him. I am not sure if in a family rife with addiction we can really be so unforgiving and unsupportive after they struggled with or are still struggling with their own addictions.
It seems as if we have the ability to forgive a stranger all faults, but family we punish. I guess it is easier to forgive those you don't know or won't see again. My question is why? I know I have struggled with this for a long time. I know what Jesus said about forgiving 7x77, but did he say that it included family?
Well yes, it meant family too. If we can turn the other cheek and offer it to a stranger we should be able to do so for family. "If he sins against you seven times in the day, and turns to you seven times, saying, 'repent,' you must forgive him." — Luke 17:4
Some in the family have become clear of there addictions, one uncle has 30 years sober from alcohol. Though he lost much in that 30 years, he has been forgiven. "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." — 1 John 1:9
With Thanksgiving coming now is a time for us all to remember what we are thankful for and maybe help those who are struggling, what they have in their lives to be. Also extend the olive branch and forgive them for their choices instead of condemning them, this could be added to your lists of reasons to be thankful for. As well as added to theirs that they have some with compassion in their lives to build them up. Not tear them down.
I wish you all a blessed Thanksgiving.
Yours in Christ
Heather
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