Forgiveness & Trust

I have been talking about forgiveness and trust. It has caused quite a bit of negative feedback. How can anyone suggest that we 'need' to forgive in order to be free from our own wrong doings? Especially if our wrong doings pale in comparison to what others have done to me.

There is a phrase in the bible that says, "Consider it all joy, when you receive trials of any kind." This is an equally disturbing idea. It seems that we are supposed to say, thank you for this great gift of difficulty. I am so filled with joy as I suffer through this.

I think this thinking is a bunch of bunk.

What if, this is from that scary place, what if it was more of the chance to prove what you believe?
What if trials are the chances to exercise our faith? What if it was more about our faith and less about the trials? In the movie 300, there is a scene where the Spartans are looking at the millions of men in the Persian army. One of them starts to smile and laugh. He says that he has prepared his entire life to meet a man that was his equal in battle. He was pleased to think that among the hoard was one such man.

It is not even our faith, as much as the one we have placed our faith in. He has proven himself over and over again. No matter what the fear, the circumstances or the outcome. He promises that He can and will work out everything for our good and the good of all who love Him acording to His purposes. We can trust Him as He is ever faithful.