Thursday, November 29, 2012

To forgive or not to forgive?

We all already know the rule. Forgive others as God forgave you.

So why does it seem so hard sometimes for me to forgive? I have forgiven and been forgiven some of the worst things that can be done to a person. I'm not saying those things were easy to forgive and sometimes it took years of the Lord working in me for it to happen. Unfortunately, there are certain times when I find it harder to forgive, and sometimes it has to do with things that really aren't that big a deal in the big scheme of things. I've been trying to figure out why this happens. Is it the thing itself? The person who did the thing? My relationship with them? What reason is it that my heart is so hard sometimes?

I think I've started to realize it comes from my expectations. I expect more from some people than others. I expect more from my closest friends, my family, my husband, my kids, other Christians. But why should I expect more from them? They are human, just like the rest of the world. I know this in my head, and yet in my heart I will continue to hold onto things until there is such bitterness that I can't even stand talking to the person.

And in that bitterness, I realize there is more than one reason God calls us to forgive others. Not only because God forgave us (Colassians 3:13 Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.), but also because unforgiveness eats you up inside. Lewis B. Smedes wrote "When you release the wrongdoer from the wrong, you cut a malignant tumor out of your inner life.You set a prisoner free, but you discover that the real prisoner was yourself."

Who wants to walk around imprisoned by hatred? Not me. So, I must learn how to forgive - the big things, the little things - even the things that I've never received an apology for. It won't be easy, and it may need to be done over and over, on a daily basis. Jesus knew that it wouldn't be easy for us (Matthew 18:21-22), yet He continues to call us to do it. And He promises us that we can do ANYTHING with His help (Philippians 4:13).


Galatians 5:1 It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.

No comments:

Post a Comment