To forgive

Luke 6:36-37 (New International Version)

³⁶ Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.  ³⁷ “Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.

 

Sometimes I get so upset with others.  I can't understand why they do the things they do.  Or why they say the things they say.  I feel the pain that has been inflicted on a loved one.  Sometimes I want to grab them by the shoulder and shake them.  'STOP IT!  Can't you see what that is doing to them?'

 

But that is not my job.   I must learn to first look at myself.  I must examine my own actions and remember the times I have hurt others.  And ask first for forgiveness for myself, with a resolve to not be a repeat offender.  I must think before I speak and act.  This will take a lot of self reflection, and self control.  I must also not beat myself up over my mistakes.  Do my best to correct them, learn from them and move on.

 

Next, I need to pray for myself,  for the grace to forgive them.  Jesus gave me the example to follow.  Forgive them and pray for them.  It was a command, not a recommendation.  So I need to pray for them, forgive them, treat them with respect and compassion as I encounter them in situations.  It is pretty hard to stay mad at someone when I pray for them each morning.

 

Do not judge.  Forgive.  Pray.  I think there was a book and a movie called, 'Eat, Pray, Love'.  I haven't read it or seen the movie, but I will  try very hard to 'Pray, Love, Forgive'