An enemy takes up more space in our head than a friend in our heart. There is no human being who does not deserve our forgiveness. There is no human being who does not deserve our love and the power to forgive is one of the greatest powers given to us, human. The following composition has been inspired by a forwarded email about forgiveness.

To forgive is part of the nature and essence of God, and when we exercise it, we assume godlike stature. We have the power to forgive and we have the opportunity to rise above the pettiness of mortals.

It doesn't take strength to hold a grudge but it takes strength to let go of one. Choosing to forgive another is one of the hardest things most people ever do, especially if it's undeserved. It's hard because it's not human nature.  Human nature cries out for revenge and retribution. But why get stuck with human nature? Forgiving is not forgetting; it is letting go of the hurt.

Jesus came to bring forgiveness and salvation from sin, but He also came to save us from human nature. When we receive Him as our Savior, we receive a measure of His superhuman nature.

Once we have received Him, how much that superhuman nature rules in our life is up to us, and that is reflected in your choices.

Since one of the most outstanding traits of His nature is a readiness to forgive, how quick  we are to forgive others is a pretty  good indication of whether or not we're letting His superhuman nature take charge.

The person who has wronged us is not the central issue, the central issue is that we are doing the right thing. Realistically, no one really deserves forgiveness. If others have done wrong, they deserve a just punishment. But forgiveness is greater that justice.... Justice is human; forgiveness is divine,

Let's forgive others who have wronged  us, as our heavenly Father forgives us because to err is human and to forgive, is divine (Alexander Pope).

By Tim Pedrosa

 

         

The difference between holding on to a hurt or releasing it with forgiveness is like the difference between laying your head down at night on a pillow filled with thorns or a pillow filled with rose petals.---Loren Fischer

 

Tim