Forgiveness

I don’t always get along with everyone I meet or even with people in my own family. When someone has hurt me or hurt someone I love, it is really hard to find forgiveness in my heart. My first reaction is to strike back and hurt the offender, not to offer forgiveness. Forgiveness is hard.

The Lord’s Prayer says, “Forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us.” For years those were just words that I would recite week after week. I already know God forgives me, so why do I need to forgive others?

Carrying around a grudge takes a lot of energy. Grudges can suck the life out of you and drain you of enthusiasm for other things. They can really bring you down and, well, paralyze you.

I have done some reflecting and have come to the realization that knowing that my sins are forgiven is not enough. When I began to forgive in my heart those who have hurt me or hurt those I love, I began to feel less burdened, healed.

“Take heart, son; your sins are forgiven.” These words have healing power, not only when Jesus said them to the paralytic, but for us when we forgive those who have sinned against us.

God of forgiveness, help us to forgive those who have hurt us and heal our wounds. Amen. — GB