The Faithful Wanderer

What Forgiveness Doesn’t Mean

Forgiving softens our heart. It heals us and frequently restores relationships. But not always. Abusers are notorious for never acknowledging the harm they’ve caused. They are often unrepentant and even arrogant. We’re called to forgive, yes. But forgiveness never means placing ourselves in a position to be hurt by the abuser again.  I can forgive a real rattlesnake for biting me. But I don’t have to seek out the snake and get re-poisoned.

Jesus doesn’t require that of us.

Working in the  Snake Pit

This man enjoys snakes, even venomous ones. He’s comfortable with them. One of his goals is to share fascinating facts about rattlesnakes and lessen the audience’s fear of them.

I know this, because years ago, I attended a snake pit show in Tennessee.

Here’s a few truths about these interesting reptiles.

1. An adult rattlesnake may only eat once every two weeks.
2. They “taste” the air, water or  ground with their tongue to track prey.
3. Hearing is non-existent. Instead, snakes sense movement by feeling vibrations.
4. Coyotes, roadrunners, kingsnakes, hawks, bobcats and owls all eat rattlesnakes..
5. These snakes don’t exist overseas. All 24 species are only found in North, South and Central America.
6. Rattlesnakes can hunt in the dark. Their sight is quite good and they also have a pit between each nostril and eye which can sense a prey’s body heat.
7. Their rattle warns away enemies and distracts the critters they want to eat.
8. Rattlesnakes help keep down the rodent population. they also eat birds and other reptiles.

This cowboy works in the snake pit because he understands and feels at ease around his venomous charges. But no one would never catch him walking into the arena wearing shorts and flip-flops. I’m also 100% sure the owners have a stock of antivenom available, in case of accidents.

When Encountering Rattlesnakes

Surprising fact; we’re so large, we scare rattlesnakes. If you hear the rattle, determine where it’s coming from and move in the opposite direction. All it wants you to do is to back away. Don’t become aggressive toward the snake, It’s feeling threatened; throwing rocks at it etc. only increases the chance of getting bitten.

Important Last Thoughts

Forgiving someone who’s hurt you is tough. But it’s also one of the most powerfully freeing things we can do as human beings. That’s why Jesus commanded us to do it.

²¹ Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?”

²² Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.

(Matthew 18:21-22 NIV)

We don’t forgive because the other person deserves it. We forgive to heal. Forgiveness has the unique power to free us from a painful past.

Lastly, remember forgiving is a choice, not an emotion.. When we are willing to forgive, the Holy Spirit steps in to help and eventually our emotions catch up.