Mercy ~ Forgiveness??  Let your gracious gentleness/ your mercy be evident to all!  Philippians 4.5.  Mercy. . . I keep thinking about it, with the sense that there is more to say, even now, even though Christmas is days away—maybe because Christmas is days away.  James remarks in 2.13, "...judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment!"

The dictionary definition of mercy is 'compassion or forgiveness shown toward someone whom it is within one's power to punish or harm.'  We have looked at mercy with regard to compassion, but I keep thinking about the forgiveness aspect of mercy.  In general, I do not have too much trouble forgiving, except for things that have hurt me to the core—maybe only one or two—and I have a hard time letting go of those things. 

But forgiveness is part of mercy. . . Forgiveness is immense.  It breaks down walls, frees hearts, mends countries, restores families, and draws out the best in us.  It can turn hatred into tenderness and the desire to destroy into a passion to protect.  It is more powerful than any weapon, government, or wealth.  Nothing else can bring such profound healing.  Forgiveness forms the foundation of our relationship with God and sustains our relationships with each other.  When we unleash this gift, by receiving it in humble trust that God can actually free our heart and heal our relationships, then the miraculous can happen.1

Forgiveness is vertical - whether it is seeking forgiveness for our own sins...or endeavoring to forgive another for what we have ought against them...we go to God first.  ‘Forgiveness is God's invention for coming to terms with a world in which people are unfair to each other and hurt each other deeply. He began by forgiving us. And he invites us all to forgive each other.’2

Forgive  -  pardon; excuse for a fault or offense; renounce anger or resentment against; absolve from payment for a debt

Who do you need to forgive?_______________________________

What did they do? ______________________________________

Consider what Jesus had to say: “For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.  But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.” Matthew 6.14-15  Paul said, “Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another.  Forgive as the Lord forgave you.” Colossians 3.13

Still not convinced you should forgive?  You might wish to look at this 2007 Los Angeles Times article called "Forgive and Be Well". . . it cites research that forgiveness can improve cardiovascular function, diminish chronic pain, relieve depression and boost quality of life. . . while failure to forgive may, over a lifetime, boost a person's risk for heart disease, mental illness and other ills. . . Forgiveness is a skill that can be learned.  Hmmm. . .3

So you realize you need to forgive someone, but how do you do it? Are there any steps to be taken? I think there are--

1. Recognize that you need to forgive the person who injured you (whether or not they know it--whether or not he seeks forgiveness)                                                       2. Commit to forgiveness. Come on, make a commitment to forgive him. Don't just decide... commit.                                                                                                                     3. Ask God to help you forgive, to release the bitter or hurt feeling you have, and give it to Him.                                                                                                           4. Pray for the person, for his well-being; commit him/her to God, and let it go.

One of my favorite teachers is Dr. James MacDonald, and he talked about one tool he has used to forgive people who have hurt him: I wrote down the names of six particular people. I remember very clearly getting on my knees and envisioning a little leather pouch and, after writing out the people’s names on little pieces of paper, I put them in the bag and tightened it up. I wrote the word Forgiveness on the outside. In my mind’s eye, I knelt down and laid that bag at the cross, saying, “God, in view of all that you’ve forgiven me, I’m letting this go. I’m leaving it behind. I’m releasing them from the obligation that resulted when they injured me.”

Forgiveness is powerful . . . don’t you see?  Choosing unforgiveness is paralyzing.  Make the right choice--right now.

Practice grace and you will know peace,

Christine

1 – TrueFaced – Thrall, McNichol, Lynch      2  -  Lewis B. Smedes         3 - http://articles.latimes.com/2007/dec/31/health/he-forgiveness31