Scripture Reference: Acts 20:35 (ESV)
In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’
I was going through my social media account to clear off any old tasks, alerts, etc. when an olive branch opportunity presented itself. A page popped up with suggestions of friends and past acquaintances who could be added to my social network. I quickly worked through the list immediately deleting people I didn’t know, old accounts no longer used by friends, and groups I wasn’t interested in establishing a connection.
One name though on the list gave me pause. It was a person I’d known several years ago for quite some time. We hadn’t spoken in years or had any other contact. The name made me stop what I was doing. Suddenly I remembered the last time we were together. It was not the best of circumstances and the relationship ended badly.
I passed over the name and continued looking down the social connection suggestion list, but I could not get this person out of my mind. As I progressed down the list I felt the Holy Spirit warming up and telling me to go back to the name. I went back.
When I looked at the profile picture I remembered their face in real life. I remembered their warmth, caring, the time we’d had together over the years. At that moment, I really missed this person.
I didn’t realize how much the decision to sever the relationship hurt all these years later. I had just packed up the entire incident and put it away in a box never to be opened again. My vision of this person has been tainted because of the unresolved hurts and issues caused by our abrupt and painful separation. God is telling me, “No more.”
At that time, God brought Acts 20:35 to mind. Usually, when I hear or read this scripture it’s in conjunction with giving – tithes, offerings, etc. This was the first time the scripture was opened to me in regards to forgiveness.
God is showing me that the saying “Forgiveness is also about you, not just the other person” rings true. Jesus knows what it’s like to have the desire to not forgive, but He does it anyway. Jesus knows what it feels like to have the sting and weight of unforgiveness thrust upon Him. He forgives anyway.
If I can forgive then my heart can mend – for real this time. With Jesus as my example, He shows me that it’s possible to forgive even when you’re not sure that you too will be forgiven. It’s not about forgiving so the other person or party has to do the same. It’s about forgiving so that I am free, I set someone else free from my expectations/anger/upset/hurt/whatever and am able to move on with my life. If my heart can mend then I can be more open to whatever God has in store for our relationship – be it a close one or at a distance.
Forgiveness has to start somewhere. I’m allowing God to do His work in me. Will you allow Him to do the same in you?
Adapted from Forgiveness on VictoryThroughWholeness.org.
Bernadette Watkins is the founder of Victory Through Wholeness LLC. She uses her platform to share real stories of life with God. Bernadette’s hope is that by sharing the life lessons God has taught her, other people will come to know Jesus in a real and personal way. Visit Bernadette at VictoryThroughWholeness.org to read Forgiveness and other encouraging stories.
© 2018 Bernadette Watkins