«Do not remember the former things, nor consider the things of old» (Isaiah 43:18).
YESTERDAY WE TALKED about resentment, and today we are going to talk about forgiveness, that which is so difficult for us to achieve when some. one has done us real, deep harm. Forgiveness is very broad and has many aspects, which makes it difficult to cover on just one page, but we will talk about what is most basic. Let us begin by making clear what forgiveness is not.
Forgiving is not forgetting. In fact, it is completely the opposite: it is remembering without it hurting. However, we sometimes make the mistake of believing that forgiving is forgetting, and thus we strive to forget the wrong that has been done to us, when in reality, the work has to be done on the pain. How do we work on the pain? By finding a meaning. What have we learned from the harm that was done to us? Have we perhaps become more sensitive, more dependent on God, more mature, more able to empathize with others in their own moment of pain? Focus on the personal growth the negative experience has brought to your life in such a way that when you remember that experience, you can give thanks to God for what it taught you instead of being trapped in a spiral of endless resentment.
Forgiving is not excusing the one who offended you. In fact, it is completely the opposite: it is speaking to the people, confronting them, and letting them know that their attitude has hurt you. mien, regardless of whether of whether the individual asks you for forgiveness or not, you move on, putting resentment away from your heart. «If your brother sins against you, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him» (Luke 17:3).
Then, what is forgiving? Forgiving is no longer feeling resentment toward the person who offended you, even he or she did it on purpose. It is trusting that just as God» is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness» (1 John 1:9), we also can extend that benefit to others with divine help.
God has ‘Compassion on us, and will subdue our iniquities. [He] will cast all our sins into the depths of the sea» (Micah 7:19). Why should we not try to do the same thing for those who have sinned against us? «Be tolerant of one another and forgive each other if anyone has a complaint against another. Just as the Lord has forgiven you, you also should forgive» (Colossians 3:13, ISV). This is the valuable advice that can change our lives if we put it into practice.
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Take From: Daily Devotions for Women’s 2020
«One Day at a Time»
From: Patricia Muñoz Bertozzi
Collaborators: Lorina Maya & Magda Sanz T
