Things That Matter: Forgiveness

Forgiveness is not a natural instinct we have inside of us. It is natural to want to react when we’ve been wronged in order to protect ourselves. Forgiveness, then, is a choice we make motivated by our obedience to God and his command to forgive. Anger and judgment are easy choices, and Ghandi said it best when he said, “The weak can never forgive because forgiveness is an attribute of the strong.”

There will come a time, if not many times, in our lives when we will be called to forgive even though we feel that we have every right to hold on to the anger and resentment. Even though holding on to resentment and refusing to forgive makes us feel as though we are in control, it is actually taking energy away from us and ultimately giving Satan control, robbing us of living a life full of grace and love.

Squeeze your hands together as hard as you can. Keep squeezing them until it hurts and then squeeze some more. Hold it there. Now, imagine that this is everything you are holding onto that you haven’t forgiven… either against yourself or someone else. How does it feel? Now slowly release your hands. Do you feel that tension leaving and the blood rushing back to your hands? Doesn’t it feel good to release that pressure? That’s how it feels when we let go of resentment and anger and allow forgiveness to fill our heart. One of my favorite quotes about forgiveness is, “Resentment is like a glass of poison that a man drinks; then he sits down and waits for his enemy to die.”

Matthew 6:14-15 states, “For if you forgive others for their transgressions, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others, then your Father will not forgive your transgressions.” Even though that’s a pretty good motivator to forgive, it is something that we have to purpose in our hearts to do. It is a hard thing to do but just remember that God promised that with Him nothing is impossible.

One of my favorite things about children is their ability to forgive. They can be fighting one minute and hugging the next. They don’t hold on to resentment and anger. They aren’t doormats because they let you know quickly when you have overstepped your boundaries, but they quickly forgive and move on and usually never mention it again (unless they want to manipulate you into buying something for them :). That’s what Jesus means when he tells us to become like little children.

It’s kind of strange, but when we release others, we actually release ourselves. Maybe they don’t deserve it, but we deserve the freedom that we receive when we let go. None of us deserve the sacrifice that Jesus made for us, but aren’t we glad that he did that for us. Forgiveness is an opportunity we have to let others experience the grace that Jesus’ death provided for us.

Blessings,
Penny