The Freedom of Forgiveness, Our Lenten Journey
During Lent 2017 we would like to probe the act of forgiveness.
This week’s question is:
What Happens If I Can’t Forgive Someone?
Forgiveness can be challenging, especially if the person who’s hurt you doesn’t admit the wrong or doesn’t speak of his or her sorrow. If you find yourself stuck:
- Consider the situation from the other person’s point of view
- Perhaps you would have reacted similarly if you faced the same situation
- Write in a journal, pray – or talk with a person you’ve found to be wise and compassionate, such as a spiritual leader, a mental health provider, or an impartial loved one or friend
- Be aware that forgiveness is a process and even small hurts may need to be revisited and forgiven over and over again
Why Bother?
Because it is God’s nature to forgive. As His child, our goal is to become like Him. If you don’t forgive, you’re not like God. You’re not allowing Him to form you into the image of His Son. An unforgiving spirit is ungodly. The person who refuses to forgive destroys the bridge over which he must travel.
The only person who can afford not to forgive is one who will never need forgiveness. So remember, God doesn’t just forgive us once, and that’s it for all time. He forgives us every day, for each day we have sinned and need forgiveness.
What does the Bible say?
Turn to Matthew 18:21-27. Jesus teaches us the meaning of forgiveness in “The Parable of the Unforgiving Servant”. This story tells of a king who is owed money by his servant. One servant owed him ten thousand talents*, so much it could not be paid back in a lifetime. The king forgave him his debt after he begged for forgiveness.
Tips on Prayer:
I believe there is a direct relationship between happiness and holiness. As simple as it may sound, I was aware of my yearning for happiness. I had tried to satisfy this yearning in other ways and had been left wanting. I had witnessed a peace and purpose in the lives of a handful of people I knew who were striving to live their faith, and I knew they had something I was yearning for. God calls each of us to holiness. He invites us to be truly ourselves. This call to holiness is in response to our deep desire for happiness. We cry out to God, saying, Show us how to find the happiness our hearts are hungry for, and God replies, Walk with me, be all I created you to be, become the best version of yourself. Pray!
*A Closer Look at a Talent: A talent represented a large sum of money. According
to New Nave’s Topical Bible, one talent of Gold = $29,000., Silver = $1,940.
Coming next week in our series: Does Forgiveness Guarantee Reconciliation?
Written by Donna Weinberg of the Panther Valley Ecumenical Church
All Bible Quotes are from Good News Bible (TEV)
