Today, I sat through a graduation held at our mental health facility from our Psychosocial Rehabilitation Program, a daily treatment program which educates the people who attend about their ailments and Illnesses. I was moved by one speaker particularly who discussed an epiphany she had about forgiveness; while she spoke I had my own epiphany; one which clarified something that was revealed to me weeks earlier.
When the memory of the past maintains the ability to provoke negative feelings;
When reflecting on past memories still have their power;
When you find yourself even reflecting on the past, not for the sake of learning, but for the sake of a wandering mind or simply reminiscing; You then stoke the coals in your heart and open the door for unforgiveness and invite it to slither and curl up by the warmth of the fire that you fanned to flame.
Forgiving is a Daily task and responsibility that has nothing to do with the other party who committed the offense;
Forgiveness is a personal state of being;
Forgiving is making peace with God whether we seek forgiveness from him for our own offenses or petition grace for the offenses others have committed against you.
To forgive is a choice you make apart from the one who commits the offense.
Jesus interceded for the crowd who crucified him and enacted this principle; he showed absolute forgiveness towards the mob and petitioned God the Father to do the same.
CS Lewis Suggested that the gates of hell are locked from the inside; by not allowing grace to enter in, we allow ourselves to remain imprisoned in our own hearts and minds; dining with bitterness and sharing the sweet consoling embrace of hatred.
For what is unforgiveness but the fuel for Hate.
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