The Hardest Thing to do...

is to forgive. Forgiveness is difficult because there is a certain level of trust that has been broken. In some instances we have suffered a significant loss (financially, physically, or emotionally) and so forgiveness seems impossible. When we have been betrayed and hurt, we are hesitant to readily trust again. Forgiveness requires that some level of trust is extended in return. How does that saying go? “Fool (hurt) me once – shame on you; fool (hurt) me twice – shame on me.” It seems natural that our forgiveness is in direct relation to the severity of the wound that was inflicted. The deeper the wound the less likely we are to forgive. To put it simply - forgiveness isn't always easy.

Think about it, we want forgiveness extended to us when we have messed up! Once Jesus was asked how often we should forgive someone – seven times they asked? Jesus replied, “Seven times seventy!” Basically he was saying that forgiveness is endless. No matter how often someone hurts us we are to forgive them. Bottom line - Jesus forgave us of our sins when he went to the cross for us and subsequently we forgive because we have been forgiven. Forgiveness doesn't mean we lay down and let others walk all over us but it does mean that we extend grace and love to those who have hurt us. Forgiveness isn't easy but it is possible with Jesus.