How would you react?

Would you scream, cry, shake your fist, curse him and all of his ancestry?

Would you spend the rest of the morning, describing what happened to your coworkers?

Would your day be ruined, all because of the senseless, irrational, act of a stupid jerk who thinks the open road is paved for him?

And another thing; you are sick and tired of being the patsy?!!! (Calm down, Larry.) (Okay! I'm calm now.) Yet, the other driver ... the jerk who caused all of your suffering, is merrily going on with his life having no knowledge of what he did to you.

Think about it. The other driver was responsible for the near-accident, but your reaction was not his fault. It was yours. The real damage was entirely self-inflicted. In a word, it is called: resentment.

One definition says resentment is "to re-feel the pain." Resentment is like accidentally cutting your hand with a knife and then deciding to avenge yourself by stabbing the other hand. Ouch, that hurts!

The disciples were asking Jesus how to strengthen their faith. Jesus said: I am warning you! If another believer sins, rebuke him; then if he repents, forgive him. Even if he wrongs you seven times a day and each time turns again and asks forgiveness, forgive him (Luke 17:3-4 NLT).

Something inside of us screams, "Does this mean we have to forgive the jerk that tried to run over us? No way! Anyway, what does this have to do with faith?"

This is exactly what the people listening to Jesus asked and He answered them:

If you had faith like a mustard seed, you would say to this mulberry tree, `Be uprooted and be planted in the sea'; and it would obey you (Luke 17:6 NASB).

What? What does that mean?

The mulberry tree has extensive roots that run deep into the soil. It's nearly impossible to uproot. Resentment has extensive roots that run deep within our soul and is nearly impossible to overcome. Forgiveness is a process that begins as a tiny mustard seed. As the mustard seed of forgiveness grows, the roots of resentment, like the mulberry tree's roots, are loosened and our faith is strengthened.

Do you want to strengthen your faith? Then, learn to forgive. Forgive ...

Do you want to strengthen your faith?

• A spouse or former spouse who hurt you deeply.
• Maybe a boss or fellow worker who stepped all over you.
• A trusted friend who violated your confidence.
• A parent or relative who abused you.
• And usually, you need to forgive yourself.

The Reason for God: Belief in God in an Age of Skepticism by Timothy Keller Responding to the questions of open skeptics and ardent believers, Keller draws from literature, philosophy, reason, and real-life conversations to explain how faith in a Christian God is a soundly rational belief.

Larry Davies is a used-car salesman turned preacher. He serves at Timberlake UMC, and is the author of several books and the online devotional site Sowing Seeds of Faith.

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