“Then Peter came to Him and said, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?” Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven”.
“Therefore, the kingdom of heaven is like a certain king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. And when he had begun to settle accounts, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents. But as he was not able to pay, his master commanded that he be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and that payment be made” (Matthew 18:21-25).
How many Christians have set through a sermon of this well-known scripture. It has been taught for many years and many different ways. This scripture is rooted in the fact that forgiveness is really not optional. Though this is true in our human and imperfect state we struggle to do this wholeheartedly.
Peter says, “up to seven times?” Jesus says not up to but seventy times seven”. Forgiveness is not a one and done. The offenses, pain, our hurtful past, and those who cause us hurt don’t stop because we forgive. Peter may have wanted to put a cap on forgiveness’, but Jesus understood that the offenses just keep coming. Also, each offense hurts a little different and cuts a little deeper.
Though all these things are true we must forgive. I have not arrived and nor has the rest of the world. Some of us obsess over the hurt and wear in like a garment weighing us down. I thought years ago I had achieved the art of forgiveness. The next storm came into my life, and I felt like I was right back where I started. The storm dug up some roots of forgiving that had not been let go of.
I think sometimes it feels like the world doesn’t give any of us a real chance to heal and overcome the struggles of life. You overcome one and many more are waiting for you.
With this said it may be hard to see our way out of the past and what we lost. Forgiveness is liberating when we can allow ourselves to let go of what was and who hurt us.
Forgiveness is setting boundaries, letting go, healing, or overcoming the hurdles of life. It is all of these wrapped in a bow. These are the tools to forgive yourself, others, and God who many of us may blame for our pain.
I know that as nicely as put this message together we are all at different places. Many of us scoff at the mention of forgiveness. We feel like we are letting the other person off the hook, but all the anger inside of you is spilling out in many ways.
Lack of forgiveness can cause depression, anxiety, insomnia, stress, weight gain, changes in appetite, grief, unforgiveness, anger, and the struggle to maintain or keep relationships. A lot of this is wrapped in the fear of letting go and dealing with the issue that we can’t seem to forgive.
There are times when the things I have had to let go are freeing. Then there are other times where I feel like a caged bird. I will say that every day is a journey, but I am still learning. Don’t give up on yourself. Forgiveness starts with you.
I hope you try to forgive. It is better to be liberated and free than a caged bird full of past pain and suffering. You don’t have to reconcile with the person. It is a journey, and the memories nag at you, but therapy is a great place to learn tools for those times. (paid link)
Resilient Inspired Spiritual Excellence R.I.S.E. 