Tag: Jason Romano

With the Epstein-Trump controversy going on as well as several Church leaders being accused of sexually abusing children, I felt this testimony was especially appropriate today. Please be aware this article could be triggering for some folks.

Source: Sports Spectrum

Now Dinah, the daughter Leah had borne to Jacob, went out to visit the women of the land. When Shechem son of Hamor the Hivite, the ruler of that area, saw her, he took her and raped her. His heart was drawn to Dinah daughter of Jacob; he loved the young woman and spoke tenderly to her. And Shechem said to his father Hamor, “Get me this girl as my wife.” When Jacob heard that his daughter Dinah had been defiled, his sons were in the fields with his livestock; so he did nothing about it until they came home.~Genesis 34:1-5

I want to add my thoughts to Braley’s interview. She mentions that she forgave the men who raped and abused her. I’m so proud of her for doing so.

However, I know growing up in the Church that I learned that “true” forgiveness meant forgetting and reconciling as well. Well, I have now learned that is false and extremely harmful to a victim. In the words of Psychology Today, “Forgiveness does not erase the memory of the offense; rather, it involves an awareness of the harm that has been done. Forgiveness requires memory, not its absence. If you forget an offense, you are not actually forgiving—you’re simply forgetting. (Aug 21, 2024)”

That would be suppressing a memory and not forgiveness. It also doesn’t mean reconciling with the one who harmed you despite whomever s/he may be. There is a reason that the saying, “fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice, shame on me” exists. Forgiveness, also, doesn’t mean you cannot hold the person accountable. Yes, you can take them to court. God is a God of justice as much as He is One of forgiveness. Matthew 18:21-35.

The goal in true forgiveness is to cut unhealthy soul ties by healing and accountability. Otherwise, the victim could end remaining a victim through a toxic relationship or a form of toxic forgiveness. That is not what our Savior wants for us.

Source: Sports Spectrum

1 Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples. He went to the high priest 2 and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any there who belonged to the Way, whether men or women, he might take them as prisoners to Jerusalem. 3 As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. 4 He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?”

5 “Who are you, Lord?” Saul asked.

“I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,” he replied. 6 “Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.”

7 The men traveling with Saul stood there speechless; they heard the sound but did not see anyone. 8 Saul got up from the ground, but when he opened his eyes he could see nothing. So they led him by the hand into Damascus. 9 For three days he was blind, and did not eat or drink anything.

10 In Damascus there was a disciple named Ananias. The Lord called to him in a vision, “Ananias!”

“Yes, Lord,” he answered.

11 The Lord told him, “Go to the house of Judas on Straight Street and ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying. 12 In a vision he has seen a man named Ananias come and place his hands on him to restore his sight.”

13 “Lord,” Ananias answered, “I have heard many reports about this man and all the harm he has done to your holy people in Jerusalem. 14 And he has come here with authority from the chief priests to arrest all who call on your name.”

15 But the Lord said to Ananias, “Go! This man is my chosen instrument to proclaim my name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel. 16 I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.”

17 Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord—Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here—has sent me so that you may see again and be filled  the Holy Spirit.” 18 Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized, 19 and after taking some food, he regained his strength.~Acts 9:1-19