CH2 - Living a Higher Law: Examples of respect

[5ft Diva]

I was just wondering if you guys had any examples of how to show respect to those that have hurt you or have done wrong against you in some way. Examples would be maybe, a kid who's mean to your kid. Someone who spreads horrible rumors about you to others and they aren't true. Someone who cheated you out of money. I don't know, I think these might be lame examples. What I'm trying to say is when someone does something to you that diminishes your trust in them, how have you continued to show respect and/or love even though you don't necessarily feel safe around that person?

[crazyK]

Are we really talking about forgiving when they have not said "I'm sorry"?

This is something that is hard for everyone. I know that when this happens to me I have to remember that God will forgive those that he choses to forgive but we are to forgive everyone. Let me just throw that in your face. But to be honest it is true and I have found that if I just realize that IT JUST ISN'T THAT IMPORTANT! Believe me that it is not easy and sometimes takes me a while to go on.

As to what helps me get on?!? I really don't know. I have been trying to see what the offender is going through. Am I not seeing the whole picture? Did I not understand the situation? Can I help with their situation and therefore help my own situation with the offense. I know these are things that everyone knows and says but I do try to think "What would Jesus do?" I don't think that this is bad but you probably are looking for something more. Sorry. Good Luck!

[5ft Diva]

I'm not talking about forgiving someone. I see respect and forgiving (love) different. I think you can love someone and respect them but sometimes, you don't necessarily love that person but you still respect them.

I am talking about respecting someone regardless of their situation or their role in my life. I think what you're describing is having empathy for them or taking on their problems (I hope you know what I mean by this) and I just mean, having a descent respect for them. Treating them like I'd like to be treated even though I'm getting through some of the things they did to me or did to a loved one or have said, or whatever. Forgiveness is a totally different ball game. I'm simply talking about respecting them. Does this make sense? Someone translate for me please. I think I even confused myself here.

[Joanie]

I'm afraid I'm with erudite. I have a hard time respecting someone unless I have some feeling of empathy and understanding of why they did what they did.
It always comes back to prayer, doesn't it?! If you pray to be able to respect someone then you'll be able to.
I had an experience when an old boyfriend was really cruel to me after we broke up. He talked about how fat I was, etc. I chose to smile at him and say hello when we passed but I didn't spend any time with him otherwise. I didn't try to avoid him but he usually chose to avoid me so it was easy to be away from him. He later told me that he d how I kept saying hi to him and seemed unbothered by what he was doing. I found that by smiling at him and not being unkind I was able to kind of wash away his influence on my feelings and attitudes during the day. If I'd been mean and angry it would have colored how I'd felt for the rest of the day. Instead, I forgot him as soon as I passed him. It was surprisingly easy. I recognized God helping me not be hurt by him.
I don't know if that helps but that's what I did.

[5ft Diva]

That's exactly what I'm talking about. Thanks for this example. It helped me to know how to apply this concept of respect by seeing (or reading) it in action.