Bitterness injects us with poison. Forgiveness is the only antidote.
Ten-year-old Chris Carrier was abducted, stabbed and left for dead in the Florida Everglades by a man he didn’t know.
Chris survived, but he began living a nightmare of anger, fear and bitterness.
Then at age 13, he realized that God had spared his life, and he forgave his assailant (who was still at large).
Fast forward twenty years: Chris received a call from the police. A dying nursing-home resident named David had confessed to Chris’s abduction and attempted murder.
Reporters were shocked when Chris visited David the following day to tell David he forgave him.
But Chris did more: he continued to visit David, and before David's death, Chris shared the gospel with him.
It's hard to believe, but it's true: David prayed to receive new life in Christ with the man he'd once tired to murder!
Chris' secret: he refused to let the poison in David’s veins run through his own. He overcame evil with good (Romans 12:21).
Source: The Abduction of Chris Carrier
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Bible Love Notes
Wow, that is a powerful example given! I am amazed and humbled! Forgiveness sounds fine until you hear the nitty gritty details and it sure is a harder pill to swallow, but one that we must…
ReplyDeleteWow...I knew when I read the title "Ice Picks and Poison" in an email from the "Bible Love Notes" blog I had to look further. Those are two subjects that seem at odds with each other.
ReplyDeleteIn our "eye for an eye" society, such strength of character is practically unheard of. But then, none of us really deserves mercy ... be He gives it freely to those who seek it with an honest heart. Much food for thought here.
Our Lord demands that we carry forgiveness in our heart as He forgives us, ALWAYS... but it can be VERY difficult not only to forgive, but to hold the offending persons in our lives. I always hear the phrase, I will forgive but never forget. The Lord also charges us to forget as if the actions never occurred. But, he also expects sinners who want our grace as told to the lame man at the pool, go forth and sin no more or it will be the worse for you. He also expected the same of Mary Magdalene and Rebecca. Not at all easy for those of us also blessed with free will. I am amazed by people who have been able to find forgiveness. When my cousin was beaten to death her boyfriend killed himself. At the time I felt relief that our family didn't have to deal with the courts. I never thought about forgiving him. Perhaps its time I did.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for your insights and thoughts, and for sharing this very real example in your own life.
DeleteI would add one thought that might be helpful for you as you seek to forgive this terrible injustice done to your family: when Scripture talks about God "forgetting" sin, it means that He no longer holds it against us. It doesn't mean that He's unaware it happened. You will always remember this sad tragedy and always know that it was wrong and terrible.
Forgiveness is not approval. And our forgiveness doesn't make the offended person right with God. It makes us right with God.
This is a tough situation, but you're so right...forgiveness will actually ease your pain.You are in my prayers today.
I don't like violent stories that we hear so often on the news but since this one has healing from bitterness and anger, it really caught my interest. This is an amazing story. Was Chris saved? Wow!!
ReplyDeleteYour layout is restful on the eyes. My eyes are not bad at all but a busy background or writing on black (for instance) it can give a restless feel to the read. This is so nice!!
Dear Judith,
DeleteThanks so much for this question. I added some extra info to the devotion because of it.
I've had difficulty writing the devotions this week because they are so intense and detailed to pack into a 1-minute's read. But I really felt led to write these stories when a reader asked me to write about the really hard cases of forgiveness.
And I hope readers who want to know more will read the link at the bottom of each devotion. The link for this story is especially well-written and contains extra details that are interesting and pertinent.
But I definitely needed the information I added: yes, Chris was a believer, he shared his faith with David, and David prayed with him for salvation before he died. Thanks for prompting me to add it.
And thanks for your kind comments on my layout. As always, you are a blessing.
Gail
Thanks Gail for adding that Chris was a believer. I have actually been enjoying these devotions. I love hearing the testimony of someone who was radically saved in a day when it seems that we are not seeing as many turning to Christ.
DeletePowerful, Gail! Thanks.
ReplyDeleteOh my! This is a powerful story Gail, one of those that remind me of the joy and power of forgiveness.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing!
Such a great story Gail. It really hits home. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteHi Gail,
ReplyDeleteThis is such a beautiful story of forgiveness. With God's help this kind of forgivenessis within all of our reach.
Thank you for the reminder.
Debi