Forgiveness

“As we forgive those who trespass against us”
The Lords Prayer

Unfortunately “Hating” is something that humans can do. I have found myself over time hating another person or some misfortune. It is interesting because at those times in my life when I have hated someone, I have had a tendency to think of this hatred as spikes that can flow out of my eyes and hit the offending person causing him or her pain. What I have discovered is that is the opposite of what happens. The pain of hate is internal. In fact, it wouldn’t surprise me, if some of the people that I have hated in my life, never even knew it. Hate like other sins, has possibly its biggest negative impact on me. It can consume me. It can cloud my sense of love and well being.
That is why; I think that one of the greatest gifts that God has given to mankind is the ability to “forgive.” It is in us forgiving others and in a sense ourselves that we become happier people. What happens to the people that we hate is irrelevant. Our “Thirst for Vengeance” just consumes us and turns us away from God.
As we can tell his command to “Love one another as I have loved you” doesn’t really fit with the concept of us not forgiving others. Remember someone doesn’t have to be guilty for you to forgive them. It is what you think happened that you are forgiving.
“To forgive” is one of the most joyful things that we experience. We immediately feel better and back in whack with God and others and most importantly ourselves.