Forgiveness. A very ancient word but a must-needed decision in our times. It is a challenge for those who want to live a life of real freedom from past hurts, pains, unfair treatment and biased judgments. When one forgives, the first person released from bondage is not the one who caused the pain but instead the one who has been hurt – you and me. When one forgives it doesn’t take away the pain immediately but it’s when the healing starts. When there is real forgiveness, there is the letting go of the past, how painful it may have been so that going forward could be possible towards a brighter future. Forgetting goes hand in hand with forgiving which ushers the start of foreseeing good things.
Forgiving others of what they’ve done is not easy. The deeper the hurt the harder it is to forgive. The greater the damage the longer time is needed for repair. Time truly heals as they say, but the process of healing depends on how quick one decides to forgive. Holding on to personal grudges affects the mind that stores past memories. Thinking about the past affects one’s present behaviors.
What will it cost you when you forgive? Before looking into that, let’s take a look first at the cost of Jesus’ forgiveness when He chose to bear all our sins, our disobedience and rebellion. All of these for sure were very painful for Him. It cost Him excruciating pain, deep sorrow, heaviness of heart and mind as heavy as the cross on His back. He suffered insults, betrayal, rejection, criticism and false accusations. He was shamed, mocked, blasphemed, despised, spit upon, they tore His clothes off from His tired body and forcefully placed a crown of thorns upon His head.
He came to do good. He did numerous miracles to show His love and concern for people but still they killed Him and hanged Him on the cross in the midst of criminals and under the heat of the scorching sun. While hanging there, thirsty, hungry, lonely, in so much pain, bleeding and dying, He has spoken these timeless words of forgiveness to the ones who did all of those to Him. “Father forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing” Luke 23:34. He did nothing wrong but willingly received all our wrongs and was punished. But still He forgives.
Forgiveness costs Jesus His life and His heavenly comfort. He came from heaven to earth to do His Father’s will. He also had a choice. He could have stayed in His palace and enjoyed being served and worshiped by countless of angels. Why bother to come down and suffer just to pay for our shortcomings? But He made His choice, He came for us, suffered for us, died for our sins. What is He showing to us? The example of forgiveness. So that we will do to others what He’s done to us. We don’t deserve it, we are not worthy of it but still He forgave and still forgives.
Now let’s make this more personal. I hope after reading this article you will still visit my blog site and you will still consider me as your friend. Here we go, what will it cost you if you forgive? Though how deep the hurt and how hard it could be, forgiveness will cost you your pride. Yap, you read it right. Pride. Why would you hold on to things that hunt you and hurt you if you can free yourself? Let’s be honest, is choosing not to forgive those who have offended you makes your life happier and easier? You may say that I don’t really know what you’ve been through, which may be true but do you want to wallow in situations and circumstances which you cannot undo? Why not release forgiveness, learn from what happened, trust the justice of God to defend and vindicate you. You can’t do anything to that which is of the past but you can do something today that would give you a better future. Do forgive.
I can write more but I think I’ve made my point my friend and dear reader. I’m writing this article because I myself have been into a lot also, and I’ve been to both sides: I’ve experienced being forgiven many times and have forgiven others as well. One last thing I would like to say about forgiveness. If you choose to do it. It’s worth it. Do it now and free your self.