Forgive & Forget

While I haven't had a chance to listen to our pastor's sermon from Sunday, just going to small group on Sunday was enough to wake me up when it comes to forgiveness. This week the choice was this...The Relationship Choice: I evaluate all my relationships, offer forgiveness to those who have hurt me, & make amends for harm I've done to others, except for when to do so would harm them or others.

"Happy are those who are merciful to others...Happy are those who work for
peace." ~ Matthew 5:7, 9

I don't know about you, but just reading that statement makes my heart begin to race. Not only are we called to ask for forgiveness when we wrong someone else, but on the flip side we are to genuinely forgive those who do wrong to us. As humans we are created with this innate desire to see justice, to harbor resentment, & feel that we have seen others pay for their mistakes. I think this is just another area where we are to TRY to be like God but we will never be able to reach his level. Forgiveness is something our human minds have a difficult time of grasping. God forgive each of us so quickly even when we fail him over & over & over--I can't even wrap my head around that kind of love.

"How often should I forgive someone who sins against me?"..."Not seven times,"
Jesus replied, "but seventy times seven!" ~ Matthew 18:21-22

I think the one key point that will stick with me from this week's series is that when you look at the basis of forgiveness, it's really not about the other person or the offender. It's about you, & yourself, & finding healing once you release that person from the hurt they have caused you. I've found that the longer I hold a grudge or pass judgment against someone for their actions, the more it affects my daily life & my other relationships. Regardless of what happened, the offender is still winning--they are still controlling your life by wrecking havoc on your day. We would be so much better off if we would give this all to God & release our hurts.

Forgiveness is an everyday process, for some hurts it may be something that has to be given to God on a daily basis in order for you to move on from whatever hurt you have experienced. For other issues, it may be a quick realization that God's peace can transcend & making amends will be a much quicker process.

When it comes to forgiveness & fairness, it's simple. Forgiveness really isn't fair in the eyes of the world. It isn't fair that we should have to forgive someone seventy times seven...but it's also not FAIR that God forgives us over & over and forgets any transgressios we have when we confess our troubles to Him.

"Be gentle & ready to forgive; never hold grudges.
Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others." ~ Colossians
3:13