Simply Be Forgiving

Simply be forgiving. Many times we let instances where we feel as if we have been wronged control our lives. Instead of understanding that whatever happened is in the past and nothing we do now can change it, we obsess over it. We wonder if it was on purpose or if it was just accidental. What we don’t realize is that if we let it go and forgive, not only would we feel better, but we would have more time to think about other things.

Starting college I had a lot of grievances that I carried with me from high school. There were instances where I thought people didn’t treat me right, where I thought that that school didn’t do everything possible, and so many more. Now that I am in college though I’ve realized that none of it matters anymore. I’ve forgiven not only those I thought did me wrong, but myself as well. We don’t seem to realize how much the bitterness in our hearts affects the way we act.  

Now that I’ve come to this conclusion I’ve realized that many of the things I was upset about could have been solved by asking. Not asking my friends or those who had only heard rumors, but asking the people directly involved. Instead of wasting my time speculating about the situation I could have been making the most of the situation and what I had to work with.

One of the biggest grievances I had in high school involved one of my very good friends and a boy. At the time I thought she had abandoned not only me, but our mutual friends as well. It was really heartbreaking for me. Here was a person I had shared some of my biggest secrets with, and I felt like I wasn’t even good enough for her to respond to my text messages. When in all reality she probably felt like I was upset with her. Now that I have stepped back and detached myself from the situation I can see that maybe it wasn’t all her fault though. There are many times where we place the blame all on one person when the situation could possibly be slipping out of their grasp.

These hurtful things we let linger in our hearts can change how we see the world around us. Let the bitterness go and forgive the people around you. I can guarantee you will feel so much better. If you can’t do that though talk to someone. My mom knows probably 99.7% of what I do with myself, and my opinion on pretty much everything. She’s my sounding board and one of the reasons I am so willing to step back from the situation and realize where it may have been my fault just as much as it was theirs.

My advice to you is to think about instances where you felt you were wronged, and ask yourself if you have given forgiveness. Don’t let these things sit on your heart and change the way you are, simply be forgiving.

Ephesians 4:31-32 

Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

XOXO,

Darby