Forgive Often
One golden rule in my life contains two simple words: Forgive Often.
Forgiving others is what many of us have been told, taught, or asked to do since a young age.
Humans, however, are a funny bunch and we somehow step on each other toes as we move along in this life on earth. Friends, family, brothers, sisters, sons, daughters, moms, dads, coworkers — even strangers on the road who failed to use their blinkers or cut in front of you in line.
In some cases, it’s much more serious, and in some cases, the infraction may have altered your life. A major trespass on your personal life. And when a violation or trespass is more severe, forgiving another person with your heart and mind can be extremely challenging.
After all, it’s natural for every one of us to take objection or to have our walls of defense go up until we get our toes stepped on, feel slighted, mistreated, or betrayed.
Completely normal.
Self-preservation is a human instinct and you are entirely within your right to take offense to someone who hurts you in some way.
But consciously figuring out how to forgive someone with your heart and mind is going to benefit one important person in your life: YOU!
There is going through the motions of saying you forgave someone, and then there is forgiving someone.
To not forgive someone for a major infraction leaves the wound open. These open wounds will impact your life, and in some cases, you’ll get ‘stuck’ and it may prevent you from living a peaceful happy life.
When you forgive someone, your mind is allowed to release the emotional pain and will feel peaceful.
That’s not to say that it didn’t leave a scar or mark. We all have wounds and scars —that’s a part of life. But forgiveness allows an open wound to heal. It’s quite an amazing experience when you truly forgive someone and your mind can release the hurt. You simply don’t feel it anymore.
Sometimes it can be a lot of work and may take days, months, or even years to forgive someone—but it’s worth the effort.
My advice: Forgive, and forgive often!
Matthew 18:21-22
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 70 x 7.
490 times for each person in your life! Lol, No problem — we got this!
