Forgiveness is a good thing. When people strive to acknowledge and practice forgiveness, it enables them to walk in peace and harmony with less worry and confusion in a dismal world that is filled with dissension. The song, “What The World Needs Now Is Love,” written by Jackie DeShannon, says it all.
Forgiveness helps to remove the heavy burdens that suck the life out of a person. Forgiveness, through love, promotes a more affectionate environment, whereby, people can show appreciation for one another. It’s what the world needs more of…forgiveness and love.
The definition of the word ‘forgive’ in Webster’s Dictionary says: 1. “To give up resentment against or the desire to punish; stop being angry with; pardon. 2. To give up all claim to punish or exact penalty for (an offense); overlook. 3. To cancel or remit (a debt); To show forgiveness; be inclined to forgive.”
I like to think of forgiveness as the act of love at its highest, emotional level, and the surrendering of one’s pride. Whether it is a person forgiving another, or the one asking to be forgiven, forgiveness is the most blessed gift a person can offer. We all make mistakes and need forgiveness from time to time—no-one is perfect.
There are people that harbor animosity, contempt, and even hatred in their heart for something that may have happened years ago. The feelings and mixed emotions that can be generated through non-forgiveness destroy relationships. It’s like picking off the scab of a wound. It brings back pain, discomfort, and memories of when and how the injury occurred.
A non-forgiving spirit produces pain and suffering to our inner person. It is unhealthy and a burden to carry. Refusing to forgive can also bring on certain physical illnesses. It has a negative affect on one’s emotional stability, yet some people insist on carrying unresolved matters anyway. It seems that they would rather suffer instability than to rid themselves of built-up hurt and anxiety. I don’t understand this.
I believe it could be a matter of pride that prevents a person from lowering the protective wall that they built around themselves. To swallow one’s pride and reach out to a person that is estranged takes courage. No-one wants to be taken advantage of, so the wall is kept strong and erect, because people don’t like to show weakness, especially to the one with whom they need to be reunited.
To believe Satan’s lie that we are weak, or that another person will take advantage of us if we ask them to forgive us, are certainly from the pit of hell. Forgiveness is God’s way of promoting healing between individuals. The notion that the other person may achieve the upper hand must be dispelled. We must reject this untruth and expose it for what it is, a trick of the devil to keep disharmony alive. When we eliminate this kind of thinking, resolution of differences take place. We find ourselves wanting to forgive one another as God had intended us to do.
Forgiveness unites liberty with freedom, because liberty promotes freedom—freedom to love; freedom to communicate; and freedom to enjoy companionship. When the words, “Forgive me” or “I forgive you,” are used, positive results follow. Freedom begins to take hold. Though it is difficult to reach out to a person that is estranged, the dividends are worth the effort.
(Proverbs 29:23), “A man’s pride will bring him low, but the humble in spirit will retain honor.”
When God forgives, it is without dissimulation. He never brings up the past to throw in our face. He is compassionate, loving, and kind. God receives our offering of repentance without equivocation or hesitation. He doesn’t begrudge our coming to Him, but welcomes us with open arms and forgives our sins.
When we swallow our pride and say we are sorry for our sins, the dam of pride is broken; allowing rivers of living water to flow freely. This flow begins the moment we receive forgiveness from God.
The walls that we built around ourselves fall to the ground, and our relationship with God sores to great heights. As we reach out to others and forgive them of their wrongdoings, or we ask for forgiveness for ours, healing begins to take place, which brings those that are afar off even closer than before.
Repentance coupled with God’s forgiveness heals wounds. Personal relationships become healthy and flourish. The act of forgiveness brings new life, new hope, and a new beginning. We are admonished in the Bible to forgive one another, such, that our Father in heaven may also forgive us.
(Mark 11:25 -26), “And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses.” vs.26 “But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father in heaven forgive your trespasses.”
Papa Boyd
No comments:
Post a Comment