FORGIVING HEART

Do you have a forgiving heart? I like to think I do but the truth is, I don’t know. I know a gentleman that comes into the lumber company pretty often and he confessed to me one day that he didn’t have a forgiving heart. He said that it takes a lot to make him mad but once he is mad or hurt that he has a hard time letting it go. He said that he doesn’t really stay mad, he just doesn’t have anything to do with you again after that.

Does saying “I’m sorry” make everything alright? Does saying “I forgive you” really make you forgive someone? I believe that we are so used to saying the words that the emotions are not really there. It is like saying, “I love you.” I think we throw that around very callously to the point that it doesn’t really carry the “weight” it should.

When I really start to examine myself I am somewhat like my father. He never lets you know he is mad or upset, but he remembers. I think I am like that. I hardly ever have “blow ups.” I am not one to fuss, fight, or be confrontational. I will just try to steer clear of you so that I am not put in situations that have the capacity to hurt me again. Is that a forgiving heart? Do I want the Lord to treat me in this same way? Do I want Him steering clear of me because I wronged Him in some way? I think we ALL know the answer to that question.

The Bible gives us some pretty clear instructions, “And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins” (Mark 11:25). “Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven” (Luke 6:37).

To really forgive someone you have to put actions behind your words. You have to open your heart and take the risk that more pain could be coming your way. If you truly love someone then you are willing to take the risk. If you can’t put your words into actions, then maybe you didn’t really love them after all.

Have a Blessed Day!