“I forgive you.” These words are simple but sometimes very hard to say and even harder to mean. We may begin to say the words even before our meaning them has fully arrived. If so, we are essentially speaking our intention to move closer and closer to meaning the words.
How do we know when we have really forgiven someone? The answer varies from person to person and situation to situation. We may notice that we no longer have the same physical reaction when we see the offender or speak about them. We may feel that a weight is lifted off our shoulders. We may experience a sense of peace. We may find ourselves praying for the well-being of the one who has harmed us. We may feel like a new creation. We may sense that we are seeing things a little as if from God’s eyes.
When we walk the path of forgiveness, we tap into something deep within us – our basic human need to be in relationship with others. We join in Jesus’ prayer that all may be one. We become more whole, and we help make the world a better place.
This message is excerpted from “As we forgive” by E. Louise Williams in the January 2015 Gather magazine.
Copyright © 2024 Women of the ELCA. Inquiries for permission to reproduce should be directed to [email protected].