Forgiveness is more powerful than we can only imagine -- but it's a necessity if we ever want to live healthy, happy lives. I know a little bit about it and I thought today would be a good day to share.
I've had to apologize many times these past few months, for saying or doing things that offend other people. My bluntness or saying things off the top of my head without "thinking before I speak," has caused most of this to come about. I had an uncle once tell me a long time ago, "Sharon, always think carefully before you speak," and I heard it at the time, but didn't really take heed. He had Parkinson's disease and spoke very slowly; it was almost painful waiting for him to complete a sentence. Maybe it was the disease, or maybe he was just thinking about what he was going to say - I don't know. But now, so many years later, I understand what he meant. And I still haven't perfected the practice. My mouth usually kicks into gear faster than my brain, and before I know it, I've said what was on my mind before I had the opportunity to think about it first.
We will all be offended by one thing or another our entire lives. That's just life and our human nature. But God Himself put in place a remedy for hurt and offenses that heals our hearts and minds, yet we so often ignore the remedy and continue to hold onto the hurt or offense, that will eventually turn into bitterness and hatred. The remedy is simply forgiveness.
Forgiving someone who has wronged you, heals you. It delivers you from holding onto "baggage" that not only wears you down, but can cause great harm emotionally and spiritually. It does not mean that the other person or persons who hurt you were right or justified - but what it does mean is that you have released them from that bondage of offense that was caused, thus breaking free yourself. You are left with a clean and pure mind and heart, and a lot of peace. It's a cause and effect that is beyond my comprehension, but I know it works because I've had to forgive many, many times in my life.
There was a time for several years that I literally hated a person. I probably could have killed that person if I had the opportunity, I was so filled with hate. I knew I was wrong, but I just couldn't bring myself to forgive the person after all I went through. The Bible says if we don't forgive others, then it is impossible for God to forgive us. Jesus said we are to forgive others seventy times seven times in one day. I heard that preached and read it in the Bible for myself, and still hatred and bitterness filled my heart and mind toward this person and I was in spiritual and emotional bondage. My life was not full of joy or peace and I struggled every day with how I felt. I was simply miserable and felt trapped in a life that I didn't want to live.
I don't remember the day, month or even year that I was delivered from this bondage - but I was, and I had never felt so free. It wasn't suddenly, because I had prayed for years that God would help me forgive this person. But it was one day that I simply realized that I had no more bitterness and hatred in my heart toward them and I felt the kind of peace that only God can give. I had finally forgiven the person who had wronged me so much and for so long, and it was as if a ton of weights were taken off my back and I felt physically, emotionally and spiritually free. It took me several years to finally get to this point, but it didn't need to be that way. Forgiveness is a remedy available to all of us, at all times, and I could have been delivered years before, if I had only allowed myself to be. Carrying bitterness and unforgiveness around only hurts ourselves more - even more than the original offense. Forgiving those people who hurt us, heals ourselves completely, and frees us to live our lives the way we were meant to live them.
How do we take advantage of God's remedy? By understanding and accepting that we as human beings are all fallible and "none perfect but the Father." By forgiving others so that we ourselves may be forgiven. And by choosing our lives to be filled with love, peace and joy.
Easier said than done? Yes, I can tell you from experience that it is. Worth the effort? It is by far worth the effort to be at peace with one's self, God and humankind.
