Answer this, how many times have you found yourself in the position of pleading for their forgiveness?
FORGIVENESS is a funny thing. The well-known author Joyce Meyer had this to say:
Who are you helping most when you forgive the person who hurt you? Actually, you're helping yourself more than the other person. I always looked at forgiving people who hurt me as being really hard. I thought it seemed so unfair for them to receive forgiveness when I had gotten hurt. I got pain, and they got freedom without having to pay for the pain they caused. Now I realize that I'm helping myself when I choose to forgive.
I agree with Ms. Meyer completely. You may find yourself saying, “Why should I forgive them? They hurt me. However, it is true that when you hold a grudge you are the person who spends hours, days or even years feeling resentment and this can easily turn to a form of hatred. Forgiveness is like a band aid more for you than for the one you forgive. It simply puts what was done in the past and keeps it there. This frees your mind to live for today and tomorrow and all the tomorrows to come without carrying that load with you.
If I am not carrying this resentment with me I can think positively and move on into the future and simply cast off the hurt and live.
Ms. Meyer goes on to say:
“Many people ruin their health and their lives by taking the poison of bitterness, resentment and unforgiveness. Matthew 18:23-35 tells us that if we do not forgive people, we get turned over to the torturers.”
I will also quote Jesus Christ when he said, “do unto others as you would have them do unto you.”
Joyce Meyer also added this thought about forgiveness:
Unforgiveness is spiritual filthiness, so get washed in the water of God's Word to forgive and stay clean.
She meant do not let the evil of bitterness or resentment come between you and God. He forgives you but somehow that has to reflect on your life for it to succeed. Keep in mind what Jesus cried out from the cross. Was it for revenge? No he cried out, “Father forgive them for they know not what they do.”
Here is one more quote from Ms. Meyer;
When you forgive, you must cancel the debt. Do not spend your life paying and collecting debts.
I’ll end with a quote that came from Rod Parsley
Do you have a prayer that needs answered? Then forgive.
