Maintaining Forgiveness

There is an often-told story that has many versions; one is about an old wise person explaining to a youngster about which of two dogs will win a fight; the black one or the white one?  It’s the one you feed the most, which directly relates to our thoughts of either love or anger; forgiveness or unforgiveness.  This is Biblical, it’s shown in James 4:7-8; be careful what you pay attention to.

In my erratic childhood, I had an old aunt who often baby-sat me.  She was the most miserable person I knew at the time.  After my parents died, she wrote me a letter explaining how bad a child I’d been and “should have been whipped,” which was where reading stopped (second paragraph of a three-page letter) and the papers filed appropriately.  I don’t think I hated her (she was a really good cook after all), but disgust was my only feeling whenever I thought of her.  That is where I was one day, many years later, when God’s words erupted in my mind; “SHE PRAYED FOR YOU.”  I was astounded and it was very hard to change habitual feelings, but forgiveness did take hold whenever I thought of her.  Life became more peaceful and, after persevering a while, understanding began to creep in.

We’ve all been upset by somebody or something and occasionally descend into feelings of anger with him, her, them, this, that or it.  Then we find Jesus and forgive, and life is better.  Shortly afterwards an old snake may slither in causing anger to come bubbling back again and again.  

Maintaining your forgiveness may become a daily chore that can become very hard.  However, slipping back into anger will again destroy your peace, may ruin a perfectly good mind (yours) and grieve the Spirit.  Forgiveness is just as much for you as it is for others.

Forgiving people is an aspect of the love that comes from God.  Jesus showed it to us on the cross when He forgave his tormentors (Luke 23:34).  He asks us to do the same in His second commandment (forgiveness is one facet of love).  Sometimes that’s hard work and must come from within where God’s Spirit is.

God forgave us and we need to forgive others (Colossians 3:13).  It’s our choice, release the anger and peace will follow.  But our good choices need to be remembered and maintained or slippery thoughts will destroy them.  Sometimes we just gotta pray “Jesus, help me!”

Satan wants you to continue in anger and move into hatred.  Please don’t let him slide back in, maintain your forgiveness – it’s good for you, brings peace to your life and is an encouraging testament.  Exonerating others also helps with eternity, as God can now forgive you.  Jesus explained this right after the Lord’s prayer in Matthew 6:14-15.

Forgiving may be difficult to continue, but well worth every minute of maintenance required.