The Power Of Forgiveness

To forgive is the highest, most beautiful form of love. In return, you will receive untold peace and happiness.-Robert Muller

Arguments, misunderstanding, fighting, name calling and disputes of various kinds are a daily occurrence in our homes, workplaces and even in our churches. Couples may do things that hurt each other.

Children may rebel against their parents or those in authority. Employers and employees may hurt each other; the list goes on.

Are you willing to forgive someone who has wronged you?

I know forgiving others is not that easy to do. When we get offended the tendency is for us to seek vengeance and hit back, even harder if possible.

We want to repay the offender in his own coin so to speak. We want to do something that will cause pain to the offender.

Unforgiveness is unhealthy. It breeds anger, frustration, resentment, hatred, and jealousy which may cause a person to take the wrong road of vengeance.

Unforgiveness can destroy relationships. It can actually spoil our relationship with God.

As Christians we should pattern our lives after Christ. He is our greatest mentor.

The Lord ’s Prayer which is a model prayer for Christians says in part, “Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.”

In Luke 6:37 the word of God says, “Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive and ye shall be forgiven.” God wants us to be compassionate and forgive others.

Remember the story of the prodigal son. He returned to his father and was forgiven unconditionally.

He was given the best robe, a ring and shoes. Animals were slaughtered and a party was organized to welcome him. It was an occasion for merry making.

We should take an inspiration from this story and be willing to forgive people who have hurt us. When we forgive others, we are free to enjoy life to the full and in peace.

Forgiveness is good for our physical and spiritual growth. Here is why.

“Forgiveness is the most powerful thing that you can do for your physiology and your spirituality. Yet, it remains one of the least attractive things to us, largely because our egos rule so unequivocally. To forgive is somehow associated with saying that it is all right, that we accept the evil deed. But this is not forgiveness. Forgiveness means that you fill yourself with love and you radiate that love outward and refuse to hang onto the venom or hatred that was engendered by the behaviors that caused the wounds.” - Wayne Dyer

Forgiveness does not make us weak people. It is an act of strength. Mahatma Gandhi said, “The weak can never forgive. It is the attribute of the strong.”

Friend in this life, we get what we give, we reap what we sow. We should let go of resentment. We should forgive.

I am sure there were times you hurt somebody who readily forgave you. When you forgive others, you will be forgiven when you also hurt others. Practice forgiveness.

Count on God to give you the grace to forgive. Whenever you get hurt, don’t do anything in a fit of anger. Pray to the Lord and ask him to give you a large heart to forgive.

Every day we sin against God. Our sins are uncountable. We sin by word of mouth, deed, thought or feeling.

God is so merciful, he forgives our sins. In Isaiah 43:25, the word of God says, “I, even I, am he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins.”

We should have an attitude of forgiving others. It takes away stress, makes you feel at peace, happy and loving.

In conclusion, there is power in forgiveness. It enables us to forget past hurts, restores us to calmness and peace, and lifts anxiety and depression. It frees us from resentment, revenge and obsession. It also helps us to improve our relationships with God and others. When we forgive we can be forgiven by others. Practice forgiveness then.

Yours in inspiration,
Abundant Robert K. AWOLUGUTU
Correction Officer, Priest & Author.