Forgiveness
"Why is it that it's so much easier to forgive a stranger than someone you love?" -Haley James Scott
Well, aint that the truth? Forgiveness is one of those things that's easier said than done. But it's also one of those things that has to be done.
It's one of the hardest things we as human beings have to do, especially if it's something that has harmed or damaged us in some way. But in the same way that the damage done to us changed us, the forgiveness we offer will change us even more. Unforgiveness makes us bitter, resentful, heartless creatures. Even if we think they don't deserve our forgiveness, we still have to forgive them. It's not that we are over the damage done, or that we even like the person. It's about doing something that is good for the soul. Because harboring hate or resentment ravages our soul in a way that will tear us up inside, forgiving does just the opposite.
Making the choice to forgive is very hard. I've often heard, and have said myself, "I can't forgive them", especially when what needs to be forgiven changed your life for the worst. But you, we, can forgive. It's a choice we have to make for ourselves, because no one can forgive somebody but us.
When I say forgiveness is good for the soul. That's what I truly meant. You will feel an enormous weight being lifted from you. Caring around all that bitterness and hatred will crush your spirit. Forgiveness will uplift you, it will give you peace. You don't even have to have this person in your life or tell them "I forgive you." You just have to do it. Don't do it for them, do it for you, do it for your own soul.
Not only do you do it for the cleansing of your soul, but do it because God tells us too. Forgiveness is a fruit of the Holy Spirit, and it's what Jesus died on the cross for. He willingly died on the cross so that we may have forgiveness of sin, and be brought before our heavenly Father. If he can do all that so that we may be forgiven, how can we offer other people anything less?
"Why is it that it's so much easier to forgive a stranger than someone you love?" -Haley James Scott
Well, aint that the truth? Forgiveness is one of those things that's easier said than done. But it's also one of those things that has to be done.
It's one of the hardest things we as human beings have to do, especially if it's something that has harmed or damaged us in some way. But in the same way that the damage done to us changed us, the forgiveness we offer will change us even more. Unforgiveness makes us bitter, resentful, heartless creatures. Even if we think they don't deserve our forgiveness, we still have to forgive them. It's not that we are over the damage done, or that we even like the person. It's about doing something that is good for the soul. Because harboring hate or resentment ravages our soul in a way that will tear us up inside, forgiving does just the opposite.
Making the choice to forgive is very hard. I've often heard, and have said myself, "I can't forgive them", especially when what needs to be forgiven changed your life for the worst. But you, we, can forgive. It's a choice we have to make for ourselves, because no one can forgive somebody but us.
When I say forgiveness is good for the soul. That's what I truly meant. You will feel an enormous weight being lifted from you. Caring around all that bitterness and hatred will crush your spirit. Forgiveness will uplift you, it will give you peace. You don't even have to have this person in your life or tell them "I forgive you." You just have to do it. Don't do it for them, do it for you, do it for your own soul.
Not only do you do it for the cleansing of your soul, but do it because God tells us too. Forgiveness is a fruit of the Holy Spirit, and it's what Jesus died on the cross for. He willingly died on the cross so that we may have forgiveness of sin, and be brought before our heavenly Father. If he can do all that so that we may be forgiven, how can we offer other people anything less?
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