The ability to forgive is among the most valuable things I have been taught in life. In other instances, individuals may offend us and it is not difficult to cling on to anger and resentment.
However, by bearing grudges we are only burdening our hearts and denying our hearts a chance to be at peace. I have come to understand that we should learn to forgive and forget in order to move on.
We have been taught in the bible as we read Ephesians 4:32, that we are to be kind and compassionate to one another and forgive one another just like God did through Christ. This verse keeps in mind of me that forgiveness does not only mean letting the other person go, but also letting go myself of the anger. I am lighter and more at peace when I decide to forgive.
The process also involves forgetting. This does not imply that we deny the fact that the hurt occurred but it implies that we no longer let it get into our heads or systems. According to Isaiah 43: 18-19, forget the past things; look not back.
See, I am doing a new thing!” I find solace in the fact that God has a reason why he wants me to look at the new blessings in my life as opposed to the pain of yesterday.
I have attempted to exercise forgiveness in my life. Some moments when it was extremely difficult to forgive one or the other, but I realized that each time I forgave, my heart was lighter, and I could smile again forgetting all the pain. Forgiveness liberates and forgetting completes the liberation.
To sum up, I think we should be able to forgive and forget ourselves as much as we do other people. By forgiving, we are obeying the command of God and by forgetting we give healing to occur. I am also learning to forgive and forget completely day after day and leaving my heart in the hands of God.
God bless his word
Amen
