I’ve been on the struggle bus lately… struggling to forgive others who have hurt me in recent months and struggling not to let the power of that hurt control me. I think my biggest obstacle was the fact that my thinking has been a little backwards. Forgiveness is a gift, and I was having a hard time feeling like this situation or these people deserved this gift that I had to offer, but after seeking some wise counsel, I can now see why my thinking was incorrect.
The true gift of forgiveness lies in the profound impact it has on our own lives. It can be a powerful tool for healing and personal growth if we allow it. When you forgive someone, you are proclaiming that they no longer get to hurt you, or project the lies that they feel about themselves onto you. You are free from their offenses and their insults because you no longer subscribe to their ideology, and this gift of forgiveness can free your mind and heart from the negativity that holds you captive.
When you struggle to forgive, meditate on the cross. The gift that Christ gave to all of us, which was freely given, had no strings attached, and we didn’t deserve it, but he forgave us anyway. Let Christ be our teacher and our guide. He says to “love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you” Matthew 5:44, so when the thoughts pop in your head of how you have been wronged, that is when you pray the hardest for the ones who have hurt you. Jesus knows this I might be a struggle, but because he commanded it, we can ask Him for help to “pray for those who have persecuted you.”
Finding Compassion and Empathy:
Often when you are hurt by someone it’s because they were hurt by someone, hurting people hurt people. Recognizing this can make giving the gift of forgiveness a little easier to extend. Praying for them when you are in a state of empathy can come a little easier as well. After I sat down with the Lord in prayer today and meditated on His cross, I said one of my favorite, yet simple prayers, “Lord, as I forgive these people, help me to see them through your eyes and not my own.” If I am willing, I know he will do it.
In the end, forgiveness is a gift we give to ourselves as much as we give to others. It empowers us to let go of the past, embrace the present, and move forward with a lighter, more compassionate heart, and isn’t that what we all want?
I pray my personal struggle and the lessons I am learning along the way will help your heart to be free from the hurt you may feel. Forgiveness is a powerful thing, and it’s a gift worth giving.
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Mandi-bre Watson is a motivational speaker, writer, and passionate follower of Jesus. Through her writing and speaking, she tries to be a beacon of hope as she points people to the Savior. She is a devoted wife and mother to 4 amazing children. Additionally, she owns a small marketing company and is the owner of an online boutique, Veiled in Love, where she sells her handmade veils. She is a certified Spiritual Companion through Oblate School of Theology and an active member of her parish in San Antonio, Texas. To learn more about Mandi-bre, visit www.mbwatson.com. |