Forbearance Forgive Them Anyway
Forbearance. Is this a word you are familiar with? Generally speaking, hopefully it is, but maybe not so much if it is in relation to the economic effects of the current Covid pandemic. It would then mean, perhaps, that you have fallen on hard times and had to seek help with your mortgage or other loan obligations. Although forbearance is meant to ease those hard times, it is a temporary fix, it does not release you from your obligations. Forbearance though has a much broader meaning and is not just related to loan obligations. Forbearance and its meaning is not a word that I gave much thought to until recently. Its general definition means to have tolerance and restraint in the face of provocation; to have patience. It is also the ability to deal with a situation or a difficult person without becoming angry. We all then should be able to understand what forbearance truly means. Forbearance is an act, or an obligation that we as individuals all need to practice. We have all most likely dealt with a difficult person or situation at some point in our lives. You can probably think of multiple times you felt you were mistreated or done wrong in life. Maybe you were denied a promotion that you deserved, perhaps you were cheated on by your partner or betrayed by a friend; it could be many different things. When you think back on a particular situation that made you feel mistreated or wronged, what was your initial reaction or response? Most likely, you felt pain and hurt. Maybe you felt angry and vengeful. If so, you are not alone. More times than not, these are probably the most typical reactions to these types of situations. Sometimes though, things may not always be as they initially seemed. This is where the importance of restraint from anger or overreacting to these types of different situations is vital. It may very well be that what we perceive as mistreatment or wrongdoing may instead be miscommunication. When we restrain ourselves from an initial out-burst, we are putting forbearance into action. If you think about it, the inability to have forbearance is in essence a result of the devil himself at work. II Corinthians 2:10-11 tells us, “Now whom you forgive anything, I also forgive. For if indeed I have forgiven anything, I have forgiven that one for your sakes, in the presence of Christ, lest Satan take advantage of us; for we are not ignorant of his devices.” And Scripture also lets us know that forbearance is what gives us the ability to forgive. We see this in Colossians 3:13, “Forbearing one another and forgiving one another, if any man has a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do you.” So now though, you may be thinking, “I really was done
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wrong, why should I allow them to get away with it?” Why? Because it is not our place to judge or punish. As simple as this seems, I think this is what many of us struggle with when dealing with these kinds of situations. However, Scripture tells us that we are not to seek vengeance when we are wronged. The Lord alone will deal with our wrongs and the wrongs of others come judgment day. Again, when we encounter a situation where we are truly mistreated or done wrong, Scripture commands us to forgive. In Matthew 6:14-15, “For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.” Although I mentioned forbearance is a temporary fix when dealing with certain financial situations, it is not a temporary fix regarding our obligations as Christians and believers. We are obligated by Scripture to always practice forbearance and forgiveness. Doing so is not about letting the other person off the hook. It is about you and your obligation to do what Scripture commands you to do. Therefore, forbearance and forgiveness really have nothing to do with the other person. It is about us, our hearts, and doing what we are commanded to do. When we do our part, we can rest assured that our Lord and Savior will do his part. Trust in Him.
Renita Odstrcil is a licensed texas Realtor. She is a member of the National and Texas Association of Realtors, and the local B/CS Association of Realtors.
