Forgiven

Is there a person that has hurt you in some way that you just cringe whenever you think about them? Maybe it’s someone from long ago in your past, or maybe it was someone you “met” driving to church on Sunday. Either way, a mental image of this person produces not-so-nice feelings. Can we all agree we have someone like this, right?

If you are like me, and you have images from some time ago, when these people come to mind, you do not simply reflect on what they did to you, but often what you think needs to be done to them to “even” out the scales. And heaven forbid you know someone and you both have a common “enemy” – that can lead to a discussion, which often turns into a verbal bashing rather quickly. But what does this accomplish? In a word: nothing. How do we prevent or avoid this, in a word: forgiveness.

When we let the bad actions or hurtful words of someone take up residence inside of us – which is what we do when we hold on to memories about someone, we are giving up valuable internal real-estate where joyful memories could go, and putting garbage there instead. And when we keep these things in there, they grow don’t they? Bad memories have a way of growing and leaking into and onto all kinds of other thoughts, and if left unaddressed, they can consume us. Untreated bad memories become sources of bitterness, and bitter will grow and defeat better every time.

The treatment is simple, but far from easy. The solution provides a method by which bitter is removed, and better can flourish, and by better, I mean joy. This treatment and solution comes down to the willingness to forgive. I say willingness, because forgiveness is not conditional. Forgiveness does not have as a caveat any strings attached or conditions that need meeting first. Forgiveness is also not excusing someone’s bad behavior or forgetting it ever happened. Look at what Jesus said about forgiveness:

Matthew 6:14-15 (ESV)
¹⁴  For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, 

¹⁵  but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

We forgive, because we need forgiving. Practice forgiveness, and watch what happens – I would be willing to bet that things will start to become brighter.

In His grip,

Pastor Pat