Just press the "Easy" button. If only the Staples' commercial could make that ring true. Press it and it answers, "That was easy." If forgiving others who have hurt or wronged us were easy, Jesus would not have gone through his life, death, and resurrection to teach us so much. Our hearts would not ache when someone we love needs us to forgive them.
Human nature disguises the emotions, and the response leads us to wait, and hurt, and deny, and even cry. We are uncomfortable in the hope of the whole thing just going away. How do we get over the greatest obstacles that stand in the way of forgiving an offender?
Let us operate according to God's word, as it asks us. Here is the opportunity to pray. God was the first to forgive us. Thank God for teaching us how to forgive. When Jesus was provoked and offended, there was no "Easy" button to push. Jesus repaired the relationship and moved forward, past the sin. We may even find that the offender has NOT trespassed against us - and it is our oversight. We may be the ones to beg someone's pardon. Now, the command is more obvious - forgive and be reconciled. Move forward. Mirror Jesus' actions, and move past the sin and repair the relationship. Letting go of the guilt, anger, and resentment - without malice, truly gives room in our hearts to heal.
Give our hearts the room they need to heal. Praise God for his grace that we may find a new beginning and feel the comfort of his love. |
