Forgiveness--You've heard the term forgive and forget... I've always wondered how that could be done, but now I realize that forget doesn't mean that you should forget that it ever happened, it's more of a thing where you leave the pain, anger, and what ever other bad feelings you might have behind and go forward. If we try to wipe something from our memory like God does, we will be frustrated, because that's not possible. We can, however, put it behind us, and it can be used in a positive way to help others who might be going through the same thing. Forgiveness is something that we all must do in order to live a victorious life. I remember having a long period of unforgiveness, which brought about bitterness, anger, resentment, and finally depression. Only when I started forgiving did I start finding my way out of the dark hole I found myself in.
Matthew 18:22
Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.
Matthew 18:35
So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses.
So God doesn't like it when we are unforgiving. There is a condition of forgiveness. If we don't forgive then He doesn't forgive.
Reading for Reflection....
Never tire of forgiving, and so give the devil no hold. Be merciful and compassionate, spontaneously and whole heartedly. The Lord forgives you all day long; in the silence of your heart, then, do the same, untiringly and sincerely. ~From The Jerusalem Community Rule of Life by Pierre-Marie Delfieny.
We are not compassionate, forgiving people simply by reason of our birth. We learn to forgive as we learn to love, beginning with early role models, continuing through life experiences and with reflection on the ways in which we respond. Compassion is not a gift. It is an attractive quality that we may wish to choose for our lives. Like courage, it is born of a series of choices we make to forgive or not forgive, to love or not to love. Courage, along with love and forgiveness, shows itself in adversity. ~From Growing Strong at Broken Places by Paula Ripple.
My thoughts--Forgiveness is an interesting thing. Without it there is no healing. The way I see it healing starts with forgiveness and a willingness to put the hurt and pain behind us, and move forward. Once we've been able to do so, then we are much better prepared to help other through to a place of healing. Jesus forgave all the way to the point of death and beyond. Because of that, I should be able to forgive others.
