It is easy to say I am a Christian, and I love Jesus, but at times it is harder to walk the path He has set out for us. It can be hard, sorrowful and painful at times. I’m not talking about giving alms to the poor, volunteering or helping a friend. These are all great things to do. They are manageable and cause us little to no pain. It is in the hard things like forgiveness of others where people tend to struggle more.
The Lord’s path comes with examples of turning the other cheek … more than once if required. It is learning to forgive the person who so violently harmed you, and then love them. Not loving in a physical hugging way, but in a spiritual way so that you want only what is best for them. You pray for them – for the healing of whatever has caused their pain and driven them to a place where they would harm another.
When you pray for an enemy, you begin to see them in a new light. You don’t make excuses for their behaviour, but you begin to see how their life’s circumstances have built them. I don’t own their choices, or condone them, but I will pray for them.
It is my continual experiences that pull me closer to God – good and bad. Learning that only through forgiveness can I truly and fully heal. Forgiveness is hard, but it becomes easier with practice. The day I truly forgive is the day I can look back on the experience without any emotion. I’m not numb. It is just that what caused the pain has no power over me anymore because I released the pain when I forgave. The love came after when I started to pray for them.
It is in caring enough to pray about someone who has harmed us that we show love.
May you find forgiveness resting gently upon your soul so that you may live with peace and love in God’s grace to the fullest. Amen.
Free inspirational or motivational posts can be found on the inspirational page of Leslie’s website.
Discover more from Leslie C. Dobson
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.