SURVIVING THE DANGERS OF THE ISLAND

The Power of Forgiveness

Lost - Episode 4


For the past few weeks we’ve been in a new relationship series called “Lost” based on the hit TV show where 48 people get stranded on an island.  Today in Episode 4 were going to look at “Surviving The Dangers of The Island.”

I’d like you to watch this video clip from Lost, the TV series.  WATCH THIS VIDEO - (LOST)

All of us face dangers every day of our lives.  There are health dangers, physical dangers, spiritual dangers, emotional dangers, financial dangers, and even relationship dangers.  Have you ever felt like you wanted to run away from a relationship, or like your relationship had fallen into a put?

What are some of the things in relationships that are dangerous?  There are physical dangers that come from physical abuse, there are emotional dangers that can come from co-dependency, there are sexual dangers that can come from sexually transmitted diseases and there are even spiritual dangers involved with relationships that can come from a lack of honesty, integrity or character.

What is it that brings out these difficulties between people?  Sometimes it’s the things that people say to us or about us.  Sometimes it’s the things people think about us – the judgments they make on us, the stereotypes they place us on us or the prejudices they have toward us.   Sometimes it’s the things that people do to us, or the way they treat us.  How do you survive the dangers of the relational island you’re living on?

A guy was having a relationship problem and decided to take a walk along the beach to think about what he should do.  He came across a lamp, picked it up and rubbed the sand off of it.  Immediately a genie appeared and told him he could have three wishes.  The man was thrilled, but, the genie said, “Be careful, because whatever you wish for – your worst enemy gets double.”

That didn’t sound too cool but the guy had three wishes coming and he wanted to take advantage of them so he tells the Genie, I’d like a brand new car.   Boom – he gets a great new car.   But – his worst enemy got two new cars.   Well – that kind of bothered him a little bit but he went on and said “For my second wish, I’d like a hundred million dollars,”   Then the Genie said, “Great, there you go” and boom – instantly his worst enemy got two hundred million dollars.    Finally the guy was starting to catch on and he said – “Genie, I’m ready for my third and final wish...   I wish I was half dead...”

Many times when we get into a relationship problem we don’t know how to get out of it.  Sometimes we try to get even for the way we’ve been hurt.  But there’s a better way for us to solve our relationship issues.

Inside your program you’ll find a blank 3x5 card that I’d like you to get out.  In the next 30 second I’d like you to write down as many words as you can think of that begin with the letter “F”.

Today were going to talk about an “F” word... forgiveness!  How many of you wrote that word down?  How many of you need forgiveness for the “F” words you thought of, but couldn’t write down!  If you want to survive the dangers of relationships you have to plug into the power of forgiveness.  How do you do that?  You need to do four things.