God never tells us that OUR need to forgive is contingent on another's genuine repentance. Christ didn't die ONLY for those who would be REALLY sorry. He didn't forgive ONLY those who could eventually prove their worthiness. And He certainly didn't set up a record-keeping system for tracking our screw-ups! Once forgiven, ALWAYS forgotten. And forgetting is the essence of true forgiveness: the sweat aroma that melts resentment and builds love.
Remember back to that first time you felt unconditionally accepted by someone who REALLY knew you. That acceptance could not have been possible if resentment had grabbed a foothold. Resentment amounts to hatred, and that resentment would have been against YOU!
I love that old maxim, "Let go, and let God." It's the things we can't handle that God promises to take on for us! WE don't have to learn to overcome or overlook someone else's shortcomings, that's God's job. WE are called to love. WE are called to forgive. Once we realize this, what a heavy burden is lifted from our shoulders!
If by chance, the FACT that you're right and someone else is wrong is your justification for harboring resentment, remember the principles of love in
I Corinthians 13: 4-8:
"Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. Love does not demand its own way. Love is not irritable, and it keeps no record of when it has been wronged. It is never glad about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance. Love will last for ever."
With this in mind, dare we waste any more time harboring resentments and burying our heads, when we should be enjoying life, embracing love and living more fully? Let's do ourselves a favor - let's let go. and let God!
Steve Goodier, publisher of Your Life Support System
Let Go And Let God!
