Forgiveness...

It seems like the idea of forgiveness is all around me lately. It seems like myself, or almost everyone I know is having to deal with issues of forgiveness, or lack thereof, towards a friend, former friend, or family member. I've heard many a sermon on forgiveness in the last few months. It wasn't until today, when I was listening to another pastor talk about forgiveness in middle school chapel that I thought, "Uh, God must really be trying to teach me something." I'm hoping that as I go through this learning process that maybe God will use my experiences to help those around me.

I'm writing this blog not caring who may read it or make fun of me for it. That's part of the forgiving process. You may make fun, tease, or mock me...but I'm choosing to forgive you anyway, even if you don't ask for it!

Did you know that the word "unforgiveness" isn't in the dictionary? Spell check flags this word because it ISN'T A WORD!! That's mind boggling to me. Forget about the fact that as Christians we are supposed to follow Jesus' example and forgive others. Why should we harbor "unforgiveness" towards others if there isn't even a definition for the word?!?!

Mark 11:25 gives us a specific word about forgiveness. It says, "And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins." This is a staggering scripture to me! If we want God to forgive us of the myriad of sins that we've committed, we HAVE TO forgive those who have sinned against us. It is commanded of us. If we want to come before our heavenly father with pure, clean hearts...we have to forgive!! This scripture DOES NOT say that we can forgive those people who wronged us WHEN they apologize. I think we often get caught up on this. We say to ourselves, when they apologize...I'll forgive them. GET OVER IT!!! Don't give the devil another moment of satisfaction by thinking about what that person did to you last week, 6 months ago, or 10 years ago. Yes, they may have spoken horrible things about you, they may have used you, they may have "kicked you to the curb." OH WELL!! That person most likely does not even want to apologize to you, so forgive them and move one! Don't get me wrong...when I'm pointing a finger at you there are 4 fingers pointing back at me! I needed to write this tonight so that I could take a dose of my own medicine.

I need to let myself out of the prison of "unforgiveness." To forgive is to set a prisoner free and to discover that prisoner was you. By not forgiving someone you end up locking yourself up in an emotional prison that makes it hard for the other people in your life to even be around you. It creates so much drama that people often start dreading having a conversation with you because they're afraid you're going to bring up that "unforgiveness." It also forms a bond between you and that person that you're not forgiving. When you hold resentment toward another, you are bound to that person or condition by an emotional link that is stronger than steel. Forgiveness is the only way to dissolve that link and get free!!

Ghandi said, "The weak can never forgive. Forgiveness is an attribute of the strong." I ask you, do you want to be considered weak or strong? Do you want to harbor feelings of "unforgiveness" towards another person, hindering yourself from growing closer to your heavenly father and stunting the other relationships in your life. Or do you want to be STRONG? Living an amazing life and having fulfilling and meaningful relationships with those who truly want to be around you.

This picture is a good example of how I want my soul and heart to feel and of how I want others to see me..clean, free, pure, happy and reflective of God's amazing beauty!!