Forgiveness

A friend of mine recently brought up the topic of forgiveness and asked for people's points of view. It really began me thinking about the subject.

Forgiveness when someone has hurt me:

When someone hurts me I am always devastated when it happens. I tend to be so shocked that I can hardly process that it has just happened. My tongue can't even begin to speak because usually tears overwhelm me. I am learning to get better at that but usually they conquer the moment.

I always forgive the person. I hate that I still remember the situation that happened and always recall it when I see the person. I think it's because it gives me a new perspective into who the person is and how they think, and their opinion of me. I guess it makes me more cautious when I am around them. Please understand though, I always forgive them regardless if I remember the issues we shared or not.

When I remember the past, I find I have to not dwell too much on what took place. If you give too much thought on the past it becomes more of your take on the situation and less on the facts. The fires can be negatively fueled entirely too easy if I dwell too long.

Dwelling on the past keeps you in the past. Focusing on today and the future moves you forward.

Forgiveness is to forgive the offense and restart a new at looking forward to the future and keeping your eyes on God's desire for unity.

When I ask for forgiveness:

I hope and pray that when I am the one to make the mistake that others are quick to forgive me. I want them to see past the offense and begin a new to know me as a better person from learning from my mistakes. I often forget that just because I know my heart and the way I view things doesn't mean that others see me in the same way nor do they think the same way I do.

I have to learn to forgive myself as well. I will far more beat up on myself emotionally than even others would. I also have to move on and not stew in my mistakes either. It can cause me to lose my focus on God's plans. I am here to serve Him not wallow in self.

I pray people forgive me and look at me through God's forgiving eyes. I pray I do this as well towards others.

Pet peeve:

I don't know why it always shocks me when someone assumes the worst and throws out all the good a person does/is just because of one/more mistake(s). Whether the mistake was made against me or I made it against them, mistakes do not cancel out the heart of the person or their christian walk.

There is a radio show I listen to and it is full of old time type of stories. The man spoke of when he grew up and his uncle told him a joke. It was pretty calm and innocent, especially compared to today's jokes. He said how he felt so honored his uncle told him/trusted him with the joke. He said, " To know I could hear him tell that and to know that it didn't mean he wasn't a Christian."

It is odd how I've observed that the more mistakes people make, others expect it, and they forgive them quicker. When someone seems to make fewer mistakes people are less forgiving and question their entire christian life. I was actually dumbfounded when I saw that often people look for fault in people and revel over the fact when they find it.

I believe that God is about unity and being as one. In my life I want nothing to stand in between God and I. Forgiving is a way of life, not a choice for me.