Forgiveness is special

What is it about forgiveness that sings such a forlorn song? In other words, why do we feel it's so dang hard to forgive?

Read this, please ....

Letting go of grudges and bitterness can make way for compassion, kindness and peace. Forgiveness can lead to:

• Healthier relationships
• Greater spiritual and psychological well-being
• Less anxiety, stress and hostility
• Lower blood pressure
• Fewer symptoms of depression
• Lower risk of alcohol and substance abuse

This comes not from Jesus' teaching, not from the prophets, not from the Psalms, but from the Mayo Clinic.

Yet...
Yet...
Yet ...

We struggle. We hold on to the least of the offenses like they were burdens the size of the Titanic.

Jesus, of course, taught this:

Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, "Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me? Up to seven times?" Jesus answered, "I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.

This answer by Jesus makes it clear that forgiveness is not easy for us. It's not a one-time choice and then we automatically live in a state of forgiveness. Forgiveness may require a lifetime of forgiving, but it is important to the Lord. We must continue forgiving until the matter is settled in our heart.

There's a story about two monks who were walking through the countryside. They were on their way to another village to help bring in the crops. As they walked they spied an old woman sitting at the edge of a river. She was upset because there was no bridge and she could not get across on her own. The first monk kindly offered we will carry you across if you would like? Thank you she said gracefully accepting their help. So the 2 men joined hands lifted her between them and carried her across the river. When they got to the other side, they set her down, and she went on her way. After they had walked another mile or two, the other monk began to complain. Look at my cloths he said. They are filthy from carrying that woman across the river. And my back still hurts from lifting her! I can feel it stiffing up.

The first monk just smiled and nodded his head. A few more miles up the road the second monk griped again. My back is hurting me so badly, and it’s all because we had to carry that silly woman across the river. I can’t go any farther because of the pain. The first monk looked down at his partner, now lying on the ground moaning. Have you wondered why I’m not complaining he asked? Your back hurts because you are still carrying the woman. But I set her down 5 miles ago.

Paul wrote, "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.

Without our forgiveness, there is no forgiveness. That's a rule we can take to the bank. But better still, offering forgiveness even when it isn't expected, when it isn't accepted, when it seems a flighty thing to do, calms the fierce heart we often hold.

Try it. You'll like it.