Monday, December 27, 2010

Forgiveness is a "doing" word

Do you remember learning grammar at school? A verb is a doing or action word. Well forgiveness is the same.

Forgiveness doesn't come easily to us. That is just human nature. When we have been hurt or offended, its hard to forgive, especially when we are in the "right".
Lately, I have been struggling with an issue. I know that if a relationship is to continue then I have to lay down the path of forgiveness. The struggle is to continue to walk in this path. Often thoughts would come into my mind, and the bitterness would instantly return. The force of the bitterness still amazes me, as I thought I had dealt with this issue. After all, as my pastor says, "issues are negotiable, relationships are NOT!". And so, I have to "do" forgiveness.

People often think that to forgive means to forget. This is not true.Often a valuable lesson needs to be learnt, and if we forget, then we open a door to allow history to be able to repeat itself. We are meant to grow, in strength and in love.
I hope that  soon, I will be able to look back at this issue that caused such offense, and the hurt and bitterness will not rise like bile in my mouth. Then I truly will know that I have been able to forgive.