Forgiving, they say, is not easy.
At least, it hasn’t been easy for me in some circumstances of my life.
If you’re here, perhaps it’s because maybe you’ve been thinking about whether you should forgive someone who hurt you.
I would like to share with you some ideas on that topic, starting as always from what the Bible says about it:
(…) I am writing you a new command; its truth is seen in him and in you, because the darkness is passing and the true light is already shining.
Anyone who claims to be in the light but hates a brother or sister[b] is still in the darkness.
Anyone who loves their brother and sister lives in the light, and there is nothing in them to make them stumble.
But anyone who hates a brother or sister is in the darkness and walks around in the darkness.
They do not know where they are going, because the darkness has blinded them.
| 1 John 2:8-11
Today, as I studied this text, the Holy Spirit showed me my need to forgive some people who had hurt me.
And I say necessity because it is.
Forgiving is not something we do for someone else than for ourselves.
In forgiveness, there is healing and freedom for the mind.
One of the most special topics Jesus talked about was forgiveness.
Forgiveness helps us to be happy and to understand more closely God’s love for us, who constantly forgives our offenses.
Learning to forgive requires practice.
Many of us do not yet have it, but we need to start developing it because forgiving will be something we will need to do very often throughout our lives.
It will not be easy, but the key is to have it as a purpose.
We must at first try.
If in our heart there is still a wound that prevents us from relating or lovingly those who have hurt us, it is because we have not yet forgiven.
The only way to heal and not carry that emotional weight is to forgive.
However, it is also true that forgiveness is a gift from God and that is why we must ask Him for it.
He is the one who helps us and teaches us to forgive, just as he is the one who heals us through forgiveness.
It is clear that there are people whose way of being and thinking can become a toxic burden on our lives.
As these people learn the lessons they need to learn, our relationship with them needs to be framed in wisdom.
I must clarify that forgiving does not mean staying in abusive relationships, with people who have integrity problems or psychological problems.
To forgive means to make peace with the past and let go in peace what hurt us.
This does not always mean restoring a relationship completely, if that relationship itself is toxic.
Forgiving makes us free, forgiving brings the light of Christ into our lives.
I don’t know how you’ve been hurt, but I know you deserve and need to be happy.
The road to freedom and healing passes through the cross.
By understanding God’s infinite love for humanity and his forgiveness for ourselves, that will inspire in our hearts higher thoughts.
It will help us better recognize the importance of loving as Jesus loved.
And what do you think? Is there anyone you need to forgive? What is your experience of this? Share with all of us to grow together.
