I think I've figured out one of the reasons this forgiveness issue is so complicated; and, it is our strong desire to be right. See, if I can claim that you're wrong then I can prove that I am right. The danger in this is that needing to be right at the expense of holding others in a prison of transgression is steeped in an unhealthy level of pride. We know that "pride comes before destruction". With that said, take one second to ponder if any destructive situations that may have taken place in your life were the humbling maybe even humiliating events which gave you the enlightenment to realize that you've wronged some the way others have wronged you. If so, did that enlightenment make your heart a little softer towards your offenders once you realized you needed the same forgiveness from someone else?
Let us be careful to consider the rational we tie to why we choose not forgive. Let us evaluate whether our holding our offenders captives is a result of a real struggle to move on versus how we think the situation makes us look to other people. It is of extreme importance that we consider how we may learn the lesson in the future if we choose not to forgive in the present. It is equally pertinent that we put our pride behind us as we evaluate our relationships and the consequences that stem from keeping others at bay and not treating them the way we want to treated during the times that we are wrong.
Pride stems from the ego and is the culprit behind many broken relationships. Love is Spirit, it operates in truth and freedom, yet it is the lawman which brings and keeps people together. Love will aid you in forgiveness. If you allow it, Love will show you yourself in the situation and show you the true character of the one who's caused you pain; and, it will strengthen you to interact with that person as if you see all the good in them even while your heart is healing. Love will also protect you from the pitfalls established by pride. As the young people use to say, "you better check yourself before you wreck yourself." Simply put, let us look at our own motives behind a matter, put our pride in check, and operate in Love!
Father God, we thank you for the mirror and the opportunity to look in it. Lord, let us see the beauty and the perfection that you see in us but also allow us to see where we have room to improve in our love life, how we love others and treat others and how we forgive others. Please dig up the roots of pride which causes us so much agony and pain and replace them with the roots tied to the fruits of the Spirit, like longsuffering, gentleness, and kindness. We know we cannot do it without You; so, we thank you for the conviction and for your guidance through the example of Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. Amen!
#IAmMySistersKeeper
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