FORGIVE TO BE FORGIVEN
I am sure most of you have experienced being hurt by someone you cared about. Or, maybe you have been the one who hurt someone even though it was unintentional. It doesn’t matter if you were on the receiving end or the dishing out end, both of these come to a conclusion with forgiveness.
I always write about what I struggle and deal with myself. This past week I have been dealing with forgiveness and trying to love my neighbor. The truth is, I am simply trying to like my neighbor because loving would be too big a stretch of the imagination. The real problem is me and the fact that I am being petty. This person didn’t hurt me, I just got my feelings hurt, and they have no idea they even did anything. Boy, I bet all of you have been there before. Anyway, every time this person’s name comes up in conversation, I feel myself snarling inside. I will quickly squash the feeling, and no one ever knows that inside I am holding a grudge.
I was in bed last night thinking about this because I couldn’t go to sleep. I prayed for the Lord to open my heart and to take away those feelings. I know that forgiveness is the answer and I have tried over and over to rid myself of these feelings. I don’t even know why they persist because it wasn’t a huge or horrible issue in the first place. I have forgiven other people for much worse matters, so why won’t this leave my soul?
Colossians 3:13
13 Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.
I hate it when the Lord spells something out for me in black and white. It is hard to read Colossians 3:13 and not understand that I am to forgive since the Lord has forgiven me. Believe me; I have done much worse things than the small grievance that I am holding on to.
When I think about the things that the Lord has forgiven me for and wiped them entirely away, I am humbled. As I sit here typing this post, I feel myself letting go finally. I feel a lightness that I haven’t felt before when I think about this person. I feel happy and giddy. I know the real challenge will be when the name of the person is mentioned again in conversation, but right now I am feeling confident that whatever was blocking me from forgiving has left me.
Matthew 6:14-15
14 For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.
I am glad that I had already felt the burden leave me before I read Matthew 6:14-15. You can believe that this verse would have shaken me to the core otherwise.
The message is clear…forgive to be forgiven!
Have A Blessed Day!
Oh my dear, I so admire you for sharing your faith w us! And that was exactly what I needed today as I have also been dealing w a friend who hurt my feelings lately! I am trying to forgive and let that go, but so far it is still hard. Thank you for reminding me of what I already know!
Tania thank you for being so transparent. The christian walk is truly a journey isn’t it. We all have hopefully those few or 1 one person who makes us Bristol but the Holy Spirit is always at work at us!
Thank you for your great daily fashion photo, personal sharing and your transparency in your faith journey. God bless you and hope the next time the name comes up you only feel a sweetness in your soul and prayer for their life.
Happy Sunday and Super Bowl Sunday!!
Tania, we all struggle with forgiveness and this post is a wonderful reminder that we are supposed to forgive. However, that’s easier said than done. I was very hurt several years ago by someone I considered to be one of my best friends. It destroyed our friendship and I held a grudge for YEARS. I knew I should forgive her but I could not bring myself to do it. Then one evening, I had to sit close to this person and I did everything I could to ignore her and talk to my other friends around her. When I got home that night, I felt absolutely AWFUL. I can tell you, it was the Lord convicting me of MY sin by holding onto this grudge and being mean! I immediately forgave this person for hurting me and asked God to forgive me too, and I cannot even describe in words the lightness I felt in my heart! It was amazing! Now, I can talk with this person and while we are not close friends again, we are cordial to each other and I feel at peace. Forgiveness is POWERFUL, people!!! Thanks for the reminder, Tania!
Thank you so much! I was just trying to figure out how to forgive and move on. I can see that my friend is genuinely sorry for their actions. This has reminded me that I have done worst and our Lord has forgiven me.
Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
Thank you for sharing Tania! I too get snarky inside when I’m hurt at someone and their name is mentioned. God is faithful to forgive us when we forgive! God help me forgive!!!
Love this and needed the reminder!! Praying blessings on you and your businesses!
It is the REAL secret to a long and lasting marriage.
Such wise words, my friend!
Good words for today and every day, and yes I believe that every one of us can relate.
Thank you Tania ! I think we all needed to hear this today! Your post Enlighten everyone one of us and that was the Lord’s plan . Enjoy your Sunday and God Bless.