I’m not much for watching movies. I haven’t been inside a movie theater in more than 10 years. Unless a movie grabs my attention, I get bored, look at the clock and wonder when it will be over.
Several years ago, I read the book “The Shack.” When I saw that an HBO movie based on the book was out, I recorded it. It was on my DVR for a long time.
On a recent weekend when both of our girls were home, we decided to watch it together. I won’t spoil the book or the movie for you, but I can tell you the theme was forgiveness.
This brought up my own issues with forgiveness. There have been times in my life where forgiving someone is the last thing I would do.
[bctt tweet=” There have been times in my life where forgiving someone is the last thing I would do.” username=”womenoftheelca”]
The recent social media campaign #MeToo recalls one such case. Because I often felt isolated and depressed growing up due to bullying, my trust in people can be challenged. Tumultuous and abusive relationships still weigh heavy on my heart. What I thought were close friendships dissolved leaving a sharp sting.
Why should I forgive people who have hurt me?
In “The Shack,” a father suffers a family tragedy and faces a crisis of faith. Forgiveness is the furthest thing from his mind. A woman helps him see how he has judged people in the past and opens him to forgive those who have hurt him.
Forgiveness doesn’t come easy, but it’s necessary. A verse from poet and author Beau Taplin has always brought me peace:
“I forgive you. Not for you, but for me. Because like chains shackling me to the past I will no longer pollute my heart with bitterness, fear, distrust or anger. I forgive you because hate is just another way of holding on, and you don’t belong here anymore.”
Ephesians 4:31-32 tells us “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.” (NIV)
…Just as in Christ, God forgave you. God forgives us when we wrong others and expects nothing less from us when others do us wrong.
What are your thoughts on forgiving someone who has wronged you?
Lisa Plorin of Upham, N.D., is president of the Women of the ELCA’s executive board.
reply
retweet
favorite
Many times it feels more like 7000 x 70; than 7 x 70. We are often at war with more than what society thinks, but with our own emotions. Forgiveness is not a check box or once and done thing. If we have truely loved and been betrayed, truely trusted and been rejected; truely given and been abandoned; we carry the scars with us for many years and little things trigger memories and agony that make us have to forgive again and again and again. We know if we can’t carry the anger or pain it will kill us and the guilt of admitting we still have it is crippling.
PSALM 51 11-17; “Create in me a clean heart…..a broken and contrite heart you will not despise.”
Forgiveness is critical for your own health and your ability to move beyond the pain and truly live the joy-filled life God wants for you. But it isn’t easy! I’m wrestling with this right now in my own life. I have been deeply hurt by someone I trusted and am struggling with forgiveness. I pray everyday for God’s help with this and I often repeat the Lord’s prayer, “Forgive US our daily trespasses, as we forgive THOSE that have trespassed against us.” It reminds me that I too am a sinner in need of forgiveness. I am confident, that with the help of the Holy Spirit, I will forgive and experience only the peace and joy that our Lord and savior, Jesus Christ, can give.