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- Feb 9, 2004
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Must I forgive? - May 06, 2006
"Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful. Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn not, and you will not be condemned; forgive, and you will be forgiven; give, and it will be given to you; good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For the measure you give will be the measure you get back." Luke 6:36-38
"That witch! I will never forgive her!" blurted Norma as tears streamed down her face.
The person who Norma regarded as best friend had betrayed their friendship, and this caused Norma enormous heart-break.
Years later, Norma was not only holding on to the same anger and bitterness, but the refusal to forgive her former friend had also begun to take a negative toll on her physical and emotional health, causing Norma to suffer from depression, heart-palpatations and ulcers. More importantly, however, Norma's pastor had warned her about the spiritual consequences of her refusal to forgive. "Norma," he said, "If you will not forgive others, God will not forgive you. If you want God to be merciful with you, then you must be willing to show mercy to others."
Norma was slow to accept this truth because she believed that people can only forgive those who directly ask for forgiveness, and Norma's former friend had never approached her or ever indicated she wished for such mercy to be shown to her. As such, the pain and hurt which Norma carried with her, and which expressed itself in anger and bitterness continued to grow with each passing year of her life.
My dear friends, forgiveness is not something we only do for others, or even because it is the right thing to do according to God's sight. Forgiveness is also a gift of love to ourselves.
Contrary to what Norma believed, forgiveness does not necessarily have to mean a relationship with those who our forgiveness is directed toward. One mother of a murdered child told her daughter's attacker on the day of his trial and conviction that she forgave him, and that she will trust God to deal with Him justly, for she refused to allow his act of murderous aggression destroy her as well.
This mother understood that issuing forgiveness does not suggest the act is somehow okay or not severe. Issuing forgiveness is like saying, "Yes, you have sinned, but I am also aware that I too have sinned within my life. Yes, what happened was very hurtful, but carrying that pain with me for the rest of my life will hurt me even more." In other words, forgiveness is a positive step forward, and whose message is, "I want to move forward and not be stuck in the destructive mire."
Has someone hurt you?
Love yourself and God enough to say good-bye to past pain, anger, hurt and bitterness, and hello to the peace and serenity only forgiveness can provide.
"Heavenly Father, please help me to be strong enough to see through my pain so that I can forgive others the way you have forgiven me with my own transgressions. Help me to be merciful to others, the way you, dear God, have been with me. Come in to my heart, God, and show me your love and grace. This I ask in the name of Your son, Jesus Christ. Amen."
Contributed by Melanie Schurr (Copyright (c)2005 Melanie Schurr) Melanie Schurr is author of "Ecstatic Living: A Christian marriage manual and Life-guide", "Son Salutations" and "Daily Contemplations", which are a collection of read-one-a-day modern inspirations. For more information, visit www.MelanieSchurr.com
"Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful. Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn not, and you will not be condemned; forgive, and you will be forgiven; give, and it will be given to you; good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For the measure you give will be the measure you get back." Luke 6:36-38
"That witch! I will never forgive her!" blurted Norma as tears streamed down her face.
The person who Norma regarded as best friend had betrayed their friendship, and this caused Norma enormous heart-break.
Years later, Norma was not only holding on to the same anger and bitterness, but the refusal to forgive her former friend had also begun to take a negative toll on her physical and emotional health, causing Norma to suffer from depression, heart-palpatations and ulcers. More importantly, however, Norma's pastor had warned her about the spiritual consequences of her refusal to forgive. "Norma," he said, "If you will not forgive others, God will not forgive you. If you want God to be merciful with you, then you must be willing to show mercy to others."
Norma was slow to accept this truth because she believed that people can only forgive those who directly ask for forgiveness, and Norma's former friend had never approached her or ever indicated she wished for such mercy to be shown to her. As such, the pain and hurt which Norma carried with her, and which expressed itself in anger and bitterness continued to grow with each passing year of her life.
My dear friends, forgiveness is not something we only do for others, or even because it is the right thing to do according to God's sight. Forgiveness is also a gift of love to ourselves.
Contrary to what Norma believed, forgiveness does not necessarily have to mean a relationship with those who our forgiveness is directed toward. One mother of a murdered child told her daughter's attacker on the day of his trial and conviction that she forgave him, and that she will trust God to deal with Him justly, for she refused to allow his act of murderous aggression destroy her as well.
This mother understood that issuing forgiveness does not suggest the act is somehow okay or not severe. Issuing forgiveness is like saying, "Yes, you have sinned, but I am also aware that I too have sinned within my life. Yes, what happened was very hurtful, but carrying that pain with me for the rest of my life will hurt me even more." In other words, forgiveness is a positive step forward, and whose message is, "I want to move forward and not be stuck in the destructive mire."
Has someone hurt you?
Love yourself and God enough to say good-bye to past pain, anger, hurt and bitterness, and hello to the peace and serenity only forgiveness can provide.
"Heavenly Father, please help me to be strong enough to see through my pain so that I can forgive others the way you have forgiven me with my own transgressions. Help me to be merciful to others, the way you, dear God, have been with me. Come in to my heart, God, and show me your love and grace. This I ask in the name of Your son, Jesus Christ. Amen."
Contributed by Melanie Schurr (Copyright (c)2005 Melanie Schurr) Melanie Schurr is author of "Ecstatic Living: A Christian marriage manual and Life-guide", "Son Salutations" and "Daily Contemplations", which are a collection of read-one-a-day modern inspirations. For more information, visit www.MelanieSchurr.com
