FORGIVENESS

Forgiveness does not come easy for most of us.  Our natural instinct is to recoil in self-protection when we've been hurt.  It is not natural for us to feel mercy, grace, and forgiveness when we've been wronged.  Forgiveness is a conscious choice, and one that, for me, is motivated by being obedient to God.  Forgiveness brings peace to my life, and helps me to understand and appreciate that others deserve peace as well.

Most times forgiveness is a slow process, but we must not make it conditional.  When we forgive others, we should not feel that we are just doing somebody else a favour.  Nor should we continue to remember the misdeeds of others, or we will become critical and judgemental.
 
Forgiveness can be one of the most powerful things we do.  Forgiveness can be complicated.  Our ability to live our lives with love and generosity is impeded when we don't forgive.  Everyone deserves forgiveness.   Everyone has made mistakes.  Some mistakes are hurtful and some not so much.  None of us is perfect.  We all need to be forgiven and deserve to be forgiven.

I have come to know I deserve forgiveness.  God accepts me as I am.  This is the reason everyone else deserves forgiveness as well.  God accepts you just as you are.  Luke 6:37 says, “Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven.”