I have this awful tendency of belaboring how I have been wounded. Rather than turning the other cheek, I discover a million different ways to say "You hurt me". I formulate a million excuses as to why I should not accept an apology. Forgiveness has been an incredibly difficult concept for me to grasp. I'm prideful; forgiveness takes humility. Forgiving others was never natural or genuine until I began to remind myself of how much God has forgiven me. I withhold forgiveness from so many people because they have wronged me a little, yet God has forgiven me of so much. Remembering God's infinite love and forgiveness has helped me love and forgive friends, family, strangers, and even enemies. I will never be a perfect forgiver, there is only One who can ever fulfill that title. However, forgiveness is the alternative to a life quenched in bitter feuding. Holding grudges is like drinking poison and hoping the other dies. Forgiveness is freeing. Forgiveness is what we are called to do as Christians. I encourage you to forgive those who you have yet to be reconciled with. It can be in person or even a letter, but I promise you that you will feel free after you bury your hurt and allow God to worry about the wrongs you have suffered. All the while, mediate on the grace you have undeservingly been given and every second [third, fourth....one millionth] chance you have received. It makes the forgiveness you are offering have a true purpose and that much sweeter.
"Make allowance for each other's faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others." -Colossians 3:13
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