Forgiveness

Rica Martin

 

Forgiveness is like an old scar.  When you look at the scar--you can remember the circumstances surrounding the wound.  You can remember how, when, and where it happened.  You can remember the pain associated with it.  However, when you look at the old scar, remember the old scar, and even when you touch the old scar- it doesn't hurt anymore.  The same principle applies to forgiveness.

 

You can also look at the scars that you wouldn't allow to heal properly.  Those scars are normally ugly and took longer to heal.   Nevertheless when you see, touch, and even talk about the scar- it doesn't hurt anymore.  It's not tender.  It's not sore.  It's HEALED -it took some time- but it's HEALED!

 

There are also internal wounds?  Internal wounds are heart issues that will cause mental, emotional and/or Spiritual damage.  These are often hidden scars that are buried under a false sense of forgiveness.  They can spread through your body like cancer.  If undetected, internal wounds will eat away at your very being. 

 

You'll know if you've truly forgiven by gauging the pain of the wound.  If you exhibit the same range of emotion when confronted with people/circumstances of the past…chances are, you haven't forgiven.  If its still a "sore subject" to talk about…chances are, you haven't forgiven.  Like an old scar TRUE FORGIVENESS doesn't hurt anymore!!!

 

The rule has been to FORGIVE and FORGET.  I beg to differ.  That's like saying, "HEAL and HAVE NO REFERENCE POINTS!"  How can I forget when the scar reminds me that something happened?  Maybe it's there to warn me not to do that-thing again, or possibly to remind me of where I was at the time. 

 

I say FORGIVE and REMEMBER!  It's ok to have a reference point.  Forgiveness let's you know how far God has brought you from the pain.  Remember: by HIS Stripes [scars] we are healed!  [1Peter 2:24]  Go on in forgiveness…