Recently, I read of the young child ‘Natascha Kampusch’, who having been kidnapped at the age of ten, was held and abused by a fully grown man for eight and a half years. She said something remarkable that got me thinking, she said...

“You have to forgive else you are still part of it all, and so the emotions from it still bind to you”.

I recalled then how before I knew Christ, I hated those who failing to show me the respect my vile pride craved   offended me. How troublesome is stinking pride, what demands it places upon the foolish and unwise! Many nights sleep I’ve lost because of my great pride... fretting and concocting every possible vile plan against those who dare think less of me than I thought I deserved!

That got me thinking of an event that took place not so long after I first came to a knowledge of the truth. I was in those days quite strong (not as today), though not of a large frame I had been weight training, roughly on and off for over twenty years, and to boot had started down the boxing gym once again. Thinking I was now quite changed from my old self I was in for quite a shock. I needing to leave my car at the office parked it at the rear, although unwittingly where one of the drivers parked his machinery.

Immediately I was approached by a man of rather small stature, winding down my window I was greeted to such a torrent of threats and abuse that it totally caught me off guard and I was told in no uncertain terms, with threats and malice that I should with immediate effect move my vehicle, I couldn’t understand how one so slight could dare to speak so vehemently to me. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not one to judge a man by his size or outward appearance as I had learnt that lesson years ago in the boxing ring to my own demise... but this guy was no boxer I assure you.

Well, my great pride that I had been so confident was now a thing of the past, mastered now by my obedience and knowledge of Christ resurrected itself with frightening speed. Totally awed by it’s vile strength, I feeling outraged, shocked and confused struggled to keep control. I got out of my car and just walked off, though I didn’t respond to my abuser, I wasn’t moving my car for anyone, especially this.... guy 

I stormed off to the toilet and knew exactly what I was doing, egged-on by my exalted pride I was winding myself-up, submitting even to the vile spirit that rules the thoughts of men. Shortly I would go find my abuser and in the fury of my anger teach him that I was some great person. 

Then something really strange happened, unbelievable, something that had never happened to me before! Looking in the mirror while washing my hands a voice, a thought... I can’t say, said... “Go and ask him if he still wants you to move your car... and if he does, move it”. You must be kidding I thought, there’s no way I’ll move my car after he spoke to me like that!!!. Then it came again... and again, and then finding myself searching for but unable to find him I actually moved my car. And in so doing who should I drive by... but him. I winding down my window informed him that as his request, I was moving my car... of which he replied “I should #^~'# well think so!!” . Well, then I jumped out of my car, grabbed the nearest thing I could (a crowbar) and raising above my head....  No I didn’t, I drove off and honestly, I lie not... I had such a feeling of joy at escaping and overcoming the power of the wicked one that I was quite stunned, for the little knowledge I then had in Christ, saved me from a multiple of sins, heart ache and troubles!

For later that week, I reflected on what might have happened if I had obeyed the vile temptations of the god of this age... I could have killed him, put him in hospital, lost my job... met his psychotic six foot five brother . Either way, each time I saw that guy after, I was in total peace but he... looked quite stressed to say the least. Anyway... reading about that poor kidnapped girl and her wise words, I thought to write an article on unforgiveness. And as usual in my naivety, thinking I’ll just sit down for five minutes and write a blog about it... have only just today... more time later than I care to admit  finished it, it has became more of an article than a blog. If you care to read it you’ll find it located here The Pit of Unforgiveness