Willing to Forgive
I talk to many people who have trouble with forgiveness. They think that since someone hurt them or did them wrong in some way that they are justified in being angry or wanting to take some type of revenge. Their desire to retaliate shows that they do not really love other people with God's kind of love. They only love people as long as they do what they want. Otherwise, they are ready to dump them. When they hurt them, they are no longer bringing them pleasure, so they desire to inflict some pain on them by being angry or hurting them back. In reality, it does not help them get over the pain of the hurt.
The only thing that helps is true forgiveness. Forgiveness is releasing the other person from any type of debt to you. You decide to love them, and they do not owe you anything, because of what they did to you. Then, you can move on in love for them with no hindrances. This true forgiveness is difficult at first, but it is possible, if a person is willing to forgive. They can say they forgive, but that will not end the pain. The end comes with willingness to love the other person enough to forgive them. Without the willingness forgiveness is impossible.
Think of Jesus' willingness to forgive us. He was so willing that He died on the Cross for us. He paid the price for our sins, so He could forgive us. That is how much He loved us. Therefore, we should be able to love others in the same way we have been loved by Christ. Once we know Him, He even gives us His love, so we can forgive just like Him. Again though, we have to supply the willingness.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Song of Solomon 1-3 and Galatians 2.
The only thing that helps is true forgiveness. Forgiveness is releasing the other person from any type of debt to you. You decide to love them, and they do not owe you anything, because of what they did to you. Then, you can move on in love for them with no hindrances. This true forgiveness is difficult at first, but it is possible, if a person is willing to forgive. They can say they forgive, but that will not end the pain. The end comes with willingness to love the other person enough to forgive them. Without the willingness forgiveness is impossible.
Think of Jesus' willingness to forgive us. He was so willing that He died on the Cross for us. He paid the price for our sins, so He could forgive us. That is how much He loved us. Therefore, we should be able to love others in the same way we have been loved by Christ. Once we know Him, He even gives us His love, so we can forgive just like Him. Again though, we have to supply the willingness.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Song of Solomon 1-3 and Galatians 2.