Learning To Forgive Others

All of us know what it is like to be hurt by others.  Sometimes the actions of others are intentional, and other times they’re unintentional.  There have been times when we felt taken advantage of, abused, used, and manipulated.  Those times were painful and difficult for us.  When we searched our heart we felt that we had ‘gone the second mile’; we had ‘given our best efforts’; we had ‘done over-and-above everything asked of us’; and we were still disregarded and dismissed.  

Whatever the situation may have been, we cannot go on throughout life letting bitterness and cynicism mark our behavior.  To rise above the hurt of the past, we must learn to forgive others and move beyond the pain that we have experienced.  To forgive is not always easy, but it is the necessary thing to do.  When we forgive others, we allow ourselves the opportunity to heal and not be controlled by the hurtful actions of others, or the negative things that happen to us in life.  As someone has so aptly stated, “Forgiveness does not make others right, it sets us free.”   

We must also remember that along with learning to forgive others, we must also learn to forgive ourselves.  When we look deep into our own heart, we realize that we have not always made the best decisions, or exemplified the right attitudes in dealing with stressful situations.  While I cannot control how others act toward me, or what they say about me–I do have control over how I respond when hurtful things come.  I am not responsible for how others treat me, but I am responsible for how I let my heart (and mouth) repsond to others.  When I learn to forgive myself, I am also learning how to extend forgiveness to others.  Forgiveness is a beautiful thing that God brings to our lives so that we can heal and move on in life with confidence and well-being.  

This Easter season I hope that all of us will take a moment to reflect on the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ on the cross.  That death made it possible for all of us to experience forgiveness in our lives.  As Paul says in Ephesians 4:32, “Therefore brothers, be kind and tender-hearted towards one another, forgiving each other as God in Christ has forgiven you.”  That’s GOOD NEWS!  That’s where freedom begins!  That’s where we find peace of mind and heart!

If you have been struggling with a difficult and painful situation in your life, learn to forgive those who have caused the hurt.  It may be difficult.  It may take time.  But you will find great freedom and healing when you are able to do that.  Remember, Jesus Christ has made it possible for you to experience God’s rich forgiveness for your failures–and He will give you the strength to put life’s painful situations into His Hands, and extend forgiveness to those who have brought hurt into your life.  Let this Easter season be a time of renewal in your spirit.  Don’t go on carrying grudges and shaking your fist at everyone–let Jesus cleanse your heart with forgiveness!  You’ll be glad you did!!!