I'm writing on a different subject today. This is an article I wrote for another blog a while back but I could use the words I wrote to deal with a situation in my life. I hope it helps you in some small way as it has me.
In
my newest book “Murder in Marietta” one of the characters uses the verse
Ephesians 4:32: “Be kind and compassionate to one another, just as in Christ,
God forgave you,” to show God’s desire for us to forgive others.
We
all know that forgiveness is not easy. Actually, I think it’s easier for a
large booty woman to put on pair of small pantyhose than to forgive someone
that has hurt us or a loved one. Not only does God want us to forgive others,
he wants us to forgive ourselves. Something we all have a hard time doing. God
doesn’t want it to be hard. He gave his life so that we could freely have
forgiveness. In Matthew he invites us to give our burdens and past mistakes to
him.
Matthew 11:28-30 “… Come to me, all who labor and are heavy
laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for
I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my
yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
I
believe forgiveness is a gift to us. Forgiveness is not for the person who has
committed a grievance against us – it is for the person who carries the hurt
and pain from that act. When we forgive another we can then begin the healing
process. Carrying the hurt around like a sack of potatoes only makes us sick.
When we let go of that sack of potatoes (hurt and pain) and give it to God we
are the ones who will benefit.
Will
it be easy – about as easy as an elephant preforming a ballet – but the end
result will be worth it. Maybe next time you need to forgive someone look at
forgiveness as a gift from God for the forgiver and you might find it to be a
little sugar to help the medicine go down.
We'll put, Debbie. Forgiving each other clears the air allowing relationships to grow, not deteriorate.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the good reminder.
~Nancy Jill