Practice Forgiveness

"He that cannot forgive others breaks the bridge over which he must pass himself; for every man has need to be forgiven."  -Thomas Fuller

I'm sure that most of us have heard all of the old clichés regarding forgiveness. Honestly, whenever I find myself in a situation where forgiveness is called for, I find myself dragging my feet just as much as the next person. Why is forgiveness, more often than not, easier said than done?

Interestingly, in our daily attempts at living the Christian life we don't acquire our principles in a set of laws. Instead, we let the character and actions of Jesus Christ provide us with a divine example to follow with the assistance of his Holy Spirit.

Regarding forgiveness, let me point to the example set by our Savior as he faced the great crises of his suffering, and ultimately his death, on the cross (Luke 23:34). After you let his words soak in, ask yourself, "What can the words of the Savior from the cross say to today's society (us) concerning the manner in which we should face the crises, struggles, and hurts of life?

And, can we agree to make a serious and combined effort to face life with its crises, responsibilities, and opportunities as our Lord did? If we listen with open hearts, Our Lord's words from the cross tip us off as to how he faced the unpleasant things of life. How did He do it? He faced, met, and conquered mistreatment by practicing, you guessed it, forgivness!

The late minister, Dr. Roy L. Smith once said,"the art of forgiving is a spiritual grace every Christian should develop." Because this is so difficult to put into practice, he offered the following suggestions, which I am sharing with you here as follows:

1. Begin by assuring yourself that compared to Christ’s suffering you haven’t been seriously wronged at all.
2. Recall the many kind deeds that have been shown to you, perhaps even by the person who has harmed you.
3. List the benefits you have received from the Lord.
4. Thank Him for blessing you with His love and forgiveness each day.
5. Make an honest effort to pray for the one who has injured you.
6. Go even further by looking for an opportunity to help him.
7. If the offense is especially hard to forget, try to erase the memory by thinking gracious and generous thoughts.
8. Finally, before you fall asleep at night, repeat slowly and thoughtfully that phrase from the Lord’s Prayer, “Forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.”

Some people try to punish themselves for their sins. They do not stand on the promises of forgiveness and Christ’ propitiation.

When you feel that you have been exploited, or done wrong, how do you respond? Do you resort to personal revenge or try to get even in word or action? Do you respond by fostering an attitude of resentment; which then leads to to self-pity, then despair within your heart? Do you respond with an attitude of hostility that develops into deep bitterness and hurtful hate?

Embedded within the teachings of our Lord, "to forgive" means to dismiss or reject the right to retaliate, to restore a fractured friendship, to return good for malicious, and to heal broken relationships.

Furthermore, with God's help in practicing forgiveness you too will become a conduit through whom others will experience forgiveness, both human and divine.

Scripture: Matthew 6:14-15; Luke 6:37; Ephesians 4:32; John 13:34; Acts 10:43

Prayer: Dear Jesus, I ask now for Your forgiveness for the wrongs that I have done, and the things that I've neglected I ask for Your forgiveness; for the people I have hurt along the way, and those who I've failed to love as You love. I ask for Your forgiveness. Amen

Have a blessed day!

Heidi