Monday, October 14, 2013

Forgiving Others and Ourselves

As humans, we all make mistakes. Some of those mistakes are really big and others are minimal. Having friends and other people in our lives means that sometimes, someone will say or do something to hurt your feelings.

Maybe it was you that said or did something to hurt another's feelings.

Would you want to be forgiven?

Maybe someone else hurt your feelings.

Would you forgive the other person?

Maybe you're thinking it depends on the hurtful deed. Did the other person forget a lunch date or did the other person sleep with your husband or wife? There's a big difference in your mind.

Is there really a big difference? If you ask God, He would say no. He forgives all errors and hurts.

"I say to you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much. But to whom little is forgiven, the same loves little." Luke 7:47

Why hang on to the resentment? Do you realize that it hurts you more? It settles into your heart and soul and darkens your thoughts.

When you realize how much God forgives you, you then love God greatly. But when you are forgiven little, you love little.

Look at the failings in your life. Most people can't count the error and hurts they've caused. but God forgives you all of them. When you realize how much God forgives, your love for Him will grow.

Peter was not a perfect man. He made mistakes. He denied the Lord three times. He too, was the brunt of many sins.

"Then Peter came to Him and said, 'Lord, How often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?' Jesus said to him, 'I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven." Matthew 18:21-22

Whether it's cheating, stealing, hating, racism, spreading rumors or worse, these are all terrible acts that the Bible condemns.

If you hurt someone by word or deed, go to them and ask forgiveness. Let go of the anger. Focus on being mindful and concentrate on kindness and gratitude.

Have you ever asked for forgiveness? Wasn't the feeling of relief so wonderful? Did you feel loved? That's how it feels when you go to God and ask for His forgiveness as well.

"And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God in Christ also forgave you." Ephesians 4:31-32


Want to live a long, happy life? Forgive the unforgivable. It really is the kindest thing you can do for yourself. Your enemy may not deserve to be forgiven for all the pain and sadness and suffering purposefully inflicted on your life, but you deserve to be free of this evil. As Ann Landers often said, "hate is like an acid. It damages the vessel in which it is stored, and destroys the vessel on which it is poured." - From WikiHow
Not only does your heart and your relationship with God depend on forgiveness, your health depends on it as well.
Remember:
"Bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do." Colossians 3:13
Have a blessed day!







2 comments:

The Dose of Reality said...

Forgiveness and asking for it can be so hard, but so necessary. We are only hurting ourselves hanging on to anger and resentment. Great post.-Ashley

Vicki M. Taylor said...

ashley, you hit the nail on the head, withholding forgiveness only hurts us. God tells us to forgive. It's necessary. So, we must do it. Have a blessed day!