To err is human, but to forgive is divine.
Did you know that you may not prevent an offense, but you can release its effect when you’re offended? For as long as you’re human, some people will offend you either intentionally or ignorantly.
It is easy to teach or preach forgiveness, but it’s difficult to express one when you walk in the shoes of those who were hurt. However, no matter how severe the pain or hurt is, forgiveness is non-negotiable.
Unforgiveness does more harm than good. It’s like holding onto a sharp knife at the sharp edge; you’re crying, but at the same time you don’t want to release the knife.
Throughout life, many of us have found ourselves in situations where we were held back by unforgiveness because of what someone did to us. Trust me, people have genuine reasons for unforgiveness, but your excuse for unforgiveness won’t do you any good when you latch onto it.
Was it your boyfriend or girlfriend that jilted you? Were you left uncared for by one of your parents? Was it the man who deflowered you that made you a single mother by circumstance? Or you suffered for the sins you do not commit?
You need to forgive if you want to enjoy the blessings that come with it. Aside from the emotional bliss that comes with the forgiveness, unforgiveness puts you in a disadvantaged position.
Your offender enjoys life, while you’re hurting. You may pretend as though all is well, but deep within, you’re nursing pain, bitterness, and resentment. How long will you continue to live your life this way when you can let go, and let God heal you?
Forgiveness is beyond the words of mouth, it must come from the depth of your heart. When it is verbal, and not heartfelt, you’d resent your offender when you see them or become bitter when you recall what they did.
When you forgive verbally, your heart would remain in pain; but if it’s from within, the burden of unforgiveness would be lifted from your heart. The deeper your forgiveness, the greater your joy is, and the better you become.
True healing from pain, heartbreak, or emotional wound comes from your heartfelt forgiveness. Do you know that if you do not forgive those who offend you, you risk the chance to be forgiven by God? Recall the Lord’s Prayer and you’d see that yourself.
In some instances, heartfelt forgiveness would cost you tears, and in another case, you will have to beckon on His grace to forgive, but the joy that comes from letting go is unquantifiable.
I remembered a female friend of mine who narrated her experience with forgiveness. She was put in the family way by deception. They were married and the guy pretended to be in love with her. Later, he voiced out his real intent and he left the marriage having frustrated her. It took her years to come off it. To embrace forgiveness, she cried her eyes out before she could let go. But today, she’s moved on, and God has compensated her greatly.
Forgiveness might be painful to do, but it’s possible if you allow God, and it comes from your heart. Let go. Let God. Cry if that would make you release the offender from your heart. Just make sure you discharge them (and all that has to do with them) from your heart.
Remember, if you do not forgive (from your heart) you will not be forgiven by God.
