LEARNING TO FORGIVE
"A Voice with Vision and Victory for the Game of Life"
Even though we may accept that God forgives us of our transgressions, taking the next step of forgiving ourselves (or others) often prevents us from living a happy and successful life. We may pray for God to forgive another, yet still be unable to forgive that person ourselves. We may believe that God has forgiven us, yet still be unable to forgive ourselves. Often the first people we may need to forgive are family members, particularly our own parents. Many people go through life blaming and feeling resentment toward their parents or siblings for something that happened in their childhood. Until we can forgive, we will not be able to live happy and successful lives. As long as we cannot forgive others, we are again playing the role of victim, blaming someone else for our inability to function successfully many years later.
When we feel hatred or resentment toward someone, or even toward something, this invariably reflects back to us and produces the exact result within us that we may have expected or hoped would happen in the life of another. Think of the universe as a huge mirror, reflecting back to us whatever we transmit. That is, whatever we send out comes back to us, often two-fold. This is analogous to the biblical concept of “You reap what you sow.” Therefore, if we cannot forgive, we will not be forgiven. If we hate, we may become hated. Conversely, if we forgive and love, we will be forgiven and loved. This concept is so simple, yet it has proven to work time and again.
Sometimes we may say, “Well, I can forgive, but I can never forget.” If we look at the definition of the word forgive: “To excuse for a fault or offense; pardon; to renounce anger or resentment against; to absolve from payment of a debt…” If we continue to hold any resentment or anger, then have we really forgiven? Like any successful trait we wish to incorporate in our lives, forgiving takes practice.
Yes, we can learn to forgive, starting today, begin practicing forgiving. Releasing people through forgiveness is healthier for your body, mind, and spirit.
Today’s Prayer: Forgive me Lord for not being as forgiving as I will be in the future. Amen.
