Forgiving unconditionally should be easy. That's because 99% of the time there is something we are at least somewhat responsible for in the situation -- directly or indirectly.
Most of us know this is true. Don't we?
Think of all the things that make us angry or upset -- whether spitting mad angry or only mildly annoyed.
In almost all of them we are at least somewhat responsible.
When I see people get REALLY upset while driving - maybe they get cut off or maybe someone takes their parking spot or whatever it might be - I wonder what it takes to get THAT upset.
When I think back on myself, and times that I get REALLY upset with my wife or children -- what really is the problem? In the moment I wouldn't want to admit it.....but there's something I'm at fault for too. Whether I didn't communicate something clearly enough up front, whether I've allowed the relationship to be what it is because I'm too lazy or rushed to have properly facilitated something from the get go, whether I'm stressed or anxious because I didn't get something done right the first time at work and now I'm a complete jerk and on edge.
If I don't forgive people, I'm really just a jerk. I'm someone who thinks I'm 100% right all the time. I'm someone who thinks I'm perfect. I'm someone who thinks I never make mistakes.
Isn't it amazing, truly, how many people -- like me -- struggle to say, "I'm sorry."
Don't be a jerk. Be expert at saying I'm sorry. Heaven isn't a place for know it all's. It's a place for I'm sorry.
Most of us know this is true. Don't we?
Think of all the things that make us angry or upset -- whether spitting mad angry or only mildly annoyed.
In almost all of them we are at least somewhat responsible.
When I see people get REALLY upset while driving - maybe they get cut off or maybe someone takes their parking spot or whatever it might be - I wonder what it takes to get THAT upset.
When I think back on myself, and times that I get REALLY upset with my wife or children -- what really is the problem? In the moment I wouldn't want to admit it.....but there's something I'm at fault for too. Whether I didn't communicate something clearly enough up front, whether I've allowed the relationship to be what it is because I'm too lazy or rushed to have properly facilitated something from the get go, whether I'm stressed or anxious because I didn't get something done right the first time at work and now I'm a complete jerk and on edge.
If I don't forgive people, I'm really just a jerk. I'm someone who thinks I'm 100% right all the time. I'm someone who thinks I'm perfect. I'm someone who thinks I never make mistakes.
Isn't it amazing, truly, how many people -- like me -- struggle to say, "I'm sorry."
Don't be a jerk. Be expert at saying I'm sorry. Heaven isn't a place for know it all's. It's a place for I'm sorry.