A few thoughts on forgiveness…
When Jesus died on the cross, he absorbed the sin of the world. It was injust, but he took it. Forgiving is kind of the same thing. In forgiving, you may wrestle with a sense of injustice—the sense of rewarding actions that are hurtful, the sense that people who have wronged you are geting away with something.But forgiveness is not a feeling; it’s an action. It’s not an emotion (though emotion is involved); it’s a choice. The choice is difficult, but it’s one that has to be made. The word itself can be broken into two words: for-give. Because much like giving a gift, we give someone forgiveness.
It’s a choice you have to make, an action you have to take. This isn’t something you can natual muster up or reach into your kind soul to give. No, it is only possible when God imparts his grace to us, the same grace that caused Jesus to suffer for our evil and sin.
Are you needing to forgive something? It’s okay. We all are.
Other than the fact that the last paragraph has caused me to start singing “I’ll be missing you” (every step I take, every move I make, I’ll be missing you) – I love this.
I read somewhere else about it being a choice to forgive and to live in the Lord’s way, but I can’t remember where or find the quote. It is definitely something I need to work on though – making the choice to forgive.
I’d like to hear you sing!!!
Should have met me in London then, shouldn’t you?! We could have livened up a Starbucks with a bit of improptu Kareoke (can’t spell that) but NO – you had to go to Egypt didn’t you?!
I need forgiveness daily…
Yes, we all do. We ALL do π
I was reading (yes, I was reading like you suggested) Corrie Ten Boom’s book, ‘Tramp for the Lord.’ In it she speaks of forgiveness and how feelings come back, but she continually gives it to God. Keep giving forgiveness:) I love it!
Hahahahahaha! You listened to me?! Whoa.
Now if only my step kids would do that… π
Oooof. I needed this today.
This has been a recurring theme with me the last two weeks: the concept that our actions don’t have to agree with our feelings. Sometimes love is a choice; so is forgiveness. We may not “feel” like loving or forgiving someone, but we can choose to do so. I think the only way we can have the capacity to love or forgive is when we have Jesus and he gives us the grace to extend to others.
You and me both!
100 beautiful words my fren. Why does it have to be so hard?!?!?!
Because someone has to pay the price!!! PS I love you.
Thank you for sharing these words of wisdom and a wonderful reminder. Keep letting the Lord use you girl (Eventhough I don’t know you personally, I feel like you could be my homegirl because you are so authentic).
It’s not easy. At all. But we are called to forgive others as God has forgiven us.
Thank you for speaking truth on a touchy topic!
May God bless you as you give glory to His name in love. π
By the way, choosing to forgive people because God forgave you is very much like the song by Kathy Troccoli “May I Be His Love” π Great song look it up, love Kathy! Her music reminds me of her homeland, Italy! π
I love this.
Yes and I have done it with my mind but my heart is slow to follow.
Well said. I didn’t know how to articulate what I’ve been feeling lately but this statement sums it up completely.