Forgiveness in its true essence means what? Are we truly forgiving someone for a particular transgression or are we making way for God to develop in us a new person to be used for His glory? When we forgive no matter how deep the pain or dismal the idea of being betrayed appears, I often wonder if we somehow inherit a new strength in being able to genuinely forgive.
Forgiveness, in my opinion, is a two-way healing - we are transformed in some way when we can get over the obvious and move beyond the imaginable while at the same time, we open the eyes and heart of the person we forgive. In the spirit of keeping it plain, as a person who has been forgiven, probably more times than I'm aware of, I can attest to this concept on many levels.
The next time you are quick to do away with someone for a transgression, take a moment to consider the following: Haven’t you, too, fallen short of meeting expectations? Hasn't the Almighty forgiven you for far more than what you can't forgive someone else? And my ultimate favorite – if God can be forgiving, who are you [we] to do otherwise?
By no means is this view to dismiss there are emotional and even spiritual issues to deal with in forgiving someone. However, I do encourage you to evaluate from all angles the sometimes self-inflicted pain in not being able to extend forgiveness. Someone once shared with me this thought, "I am amazed at how God stretches me." I say to you [and myself] give opportunity to seeing how far you can be stretched… You'll never know when the blessing in the matter is truly for your own peace of mind and personal or spiritual development.
Today's Thought: Find peace in doing what God does for us continuously - forgive!
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God Bless and Keep you. You are doing a great work and I look forward to reading everyday!
ReplyDeleteLove Yvonne
Nicole,
ReplyDeleteI have been reading your work for quite some time..even before this blog appeared! Girl, you got skillz!! I have seen an elevation of your game, even with your work at Morris.
It is strange that Dr. H just had this conversation with us about our students recently.
We have to be forgiving! She made the example of people being constantly late for work. She asked, "Does anyone dock your pay for this or the numerous times that you have to be asked to turn in your lesson plans?"
For some people, being able to forgiveis an awesome task. Your writing puts it in perspective actually!
As usual, I am impressed!!!