Forgiveness

What does it mean to forgive? When do you know if it’s right to forgive someone? Are you weak if you constantly ‘turn the other cheek’? And if you do, then where do you draw the line?

These are some of the constant, reoccurring questions that flood my mind whenever I think about what it means to forgive someone. Forgiveness comes from within. Growing up, my dad told me that his mother (my grandmother), used to say to him “To forgive is to forget.” I understood her clear message: that if you truly forgive someone it no longer hardens your heart. When you forgive, you “Let go, and Let God.” To forgive means to open your heart and to accept that people make mistakes and that nobody is perfect.

“31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. 32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”

Recently I was hanging out with some friends, one of my friends said something to me that struck something deep inside of me. Instantly, I was hurt that she would have said something that was so careless. Her words stuck with me all weekend. After long hours of praying, and asking God for my heart to soften, and I forgave her. It was then that I started to realize that part of forgiving is acknowledging that everyone is human, and that everyone makes mistakes. Nobody is perfect.

I have started to notice, that as I get older it is becoming increasingly more difficult to find it in my heart to forgive. This realization has caused me to ask myself even more questions. If I forgive someone, will it stunt my growth? Will it reinforce their actions, so they feel like they can do it again? Am I forcing this forgiveness? Am I really ready to let go, and lift up my hands to the Lord?

Hebrews 3:15

To me, this is what I will repeat to myself when I feel the need to calm down about something. When I am feeling super upset, I will say this verse to myself until I can feel His presence. To me, having an open heart means to give it up to God. To trust in him that forgivness is the answer, and nothing comes from having a hardened heart.

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