You see, this whole unforgiveness thing is difficult because we like to hold onto it. Its fun. It gives us the rush, a buzz. God says, though, I want you by my power and my grace to do something that swims against the current of your instincts, that flies in the face of everything you want to do naturally.

Thats why Ill say it again. Unleashing unforgiveness is unnatural. And to go a little bit deeper, the reason I have a tough time with this and the reason you do is because were both humans is and its all about ourselves. Its all about self. There are certain barriers that keep the people on our bench. There are certain barriers that keep us, you know, linked up to unforgiveness.

The Self-Deception Barrier

One is the self-deception barrier. We rationalize. We tell ourselves rational lies. We just say, You know, what I did to that person is no big deal. Man, they totally overreacted. Theyre an emotional basket case, anyway. It wasnt that big of a deal. It was a long time ago. Or we say, What my mother did to me? Yes, she was an alcoholic, but it didnt really affect me, you know. Ive just brushed that under the rug. Ive swept it under the rug. It doesnt affect me. Yeah, what that coach, what that teacher said to me during my childhood and stuff? The stuff that happened doesnt really affect me today. I mean, Im telling you it doesnt. Everythings fine in my life. Im fine. Be very careful. Thats a barrier.

The Self-Defense Barrier

Ed Young says another barrier is the self-defense barrier. And thats the one that we love. Thats probably our favorite one. We say, Im going to get you back. You messed me around. You hurt me. Im going to get you back.

I lived like that, as I told you, for like 24 months. I thought, Im going to get this guy back. Im going to make him pay. Im going to show him. Revenge. Im going to do it. Im going to take care of it.