Forgiveness and Absorption: The lost art of confrontation

What a strange title.

However, with some explanation, we will begin unfold forgiveness and absorption.
This Sunday, Josh talked about how when we forgive, we absorb our pride and our shame, rather than retaliate.

Maybe I was wronged, and rather than retaliating, I absorb my shame. That seems beautiful in theory and practice. I am sure its actualization proves more difficult. Nonetheless, it is good.

Further thoughts:

I hope others do not manipulate emotional absorption to act as justification for avoiding conflict.

Confrontation is not necessarily a topic where individuals are prone to think, "wow, the beauty of life is contained in really honest encounters among friends and family."

I mean, really, that is WHAT confrontation is: honest encounters. It does not have to mean, "sitting down, yelling, and then standing up and leaving."

It is vital to bust the connotations of the word "confrontation" before many will find themselves comfortable practicing it.

When we hear the word, some of us want to puke. Others of us think of think of wild sports dads who yell obscenities at referees. Still others of us may just think about how we would yell back-and-forth with our parents when we were ten-years-old.

dictionary.com says
–noun

1.

an act of confronting.

2.

the state of being confronted.

3.

a meeting of persons face to face.

4.

an open conflict of opposing ideas, forces, etc.

5.

a bringing together of ideas, themes, etc., for comparison.

6.

Psychology. a technique used in group therapy, as in encounter groups, in which one is forced to recognize one's shortcomings and their possible consequences

I particularly like four. Five seems like a synonym for juxtaposition.

I think six is the definition we seek. An encounter-yes, I believe confrontation is an encounter.

Let's examine the healthiness of our relationships. But more importantly examine ourselves.

Do I care more about my friendship than my friend?

Do I rely more on the security of my friendship than I care about blessing my friend with the truth and wisdom in deep sincerity and love?