This
is a blog response to a discussion posted in our Linkedin Group. Memoirs Rhonda Johnson posted: "To Forgive and Forget Is It
That Easy?”
Rob Stinson is a digital
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Forgiveness – Easier said than done!
Forgiveness is possibly one of the easiest principles of God
to understand. You do something wrong, but the person you wronged lets you off
the hook. Easy to understand, just really really hard to do!
Considering how fundamental forgiveness is to
what we believe as Christians, I wonder if we give it enough attention. When we
do it’s typically because we’re either begging for it or being begged. It’s
these moments when we’re reminded of how transformational forgiveness is. Think
about it. If someone asks you for forgiveness, you have to respond. You
previously may not have even cared too much about whatever that person did, but
all of a sudden it’s decision time. You can either hand out mercy and grace or
you can shore up the defenses and decide that what this person has done doesn’t
deserve forgiveness. It’s all or nothing.
The reverse is the same. If you’re asking
for forgiveness, you are putting yourself in a
very vulnerable and humble position. Is that natural? Definitely not!
Instinct tells us to wall up and not give an inch of ground.
Forgiveness is truly transformational. It alters more than
just our emotions. It alters how we perceive ourselves and others. It changes
us. And that’s the thing about it. It’s easy to understand, but is
actually incredibly disruptive. It’s hard. But then again, I’ve heard
that anything worth having is worth fighting for. I’d say forgiveness is worth
fighting for.
It’s so interesting when you ask people what it is that
keeps them from turning to God. I often hear the words “how could God forgive
me and what I’ve done?” It’s such a fair question! How could he? Forgiveness
just doesn’t add up! It fight’s against the ol’ Cause and Effect principle the
World runs by. This is what makes the gift of forgiveness so much more
wonderful.
This 2011 film called Useless
is one of my all time favorite short films. It perfectly illustrates the
rawness of forgiveness There’s no hugging or handholding in this
story. Forgiveness is fought for and given with personal pain, anguish and
without a doubt, transformation.
Watch this film for yourself now and think about what it
represents. It shows us what forgiveness is like in reality, but also the
freedom and healing it brings.
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