It is hard for me to forgive someone who has really offended me, especially when it happens more than once. I begin to doubt the sincerity of the one who asks forgiveness for a second, third, or fourth time. But God does not keep count. God just waits for our return, without resentment or desire for revenge.
- Henri Nouwen
The Road to Daybreak
(HT:BN)
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About Shaun — Shaun Groves is a communicator who’s known by a lot of titles: Singer/songwriter. Speaker. Blogger. Husband. Daddy. Friend. He feels and thinks deeply and laughs easily. And he’s helping Christians discover what they were saved for, and being a voice for children around the world, desperate to be saved from poverty.
So true! Makes me appreciate the Lord’s grace even more when change comes slowly to my heart!
I blogged today about looking through grace filled eyes. I need this.
I need this today. this week.
Thanks!
Beautiful quote. Nouwen is wonderful.
I needed these words today.
It IS hard…for us! Which is why we need to rely on His supernatural grace abiding within us. I can do ALL things…!!! Amen!
I agree 100%, but I think that we also have to consider that sometimes forgiveness does not include trust. Trust is something that has to be earned back if it is broken too badly, and sometimes it is something that cannot be re-earned.
There are people who are violent, and even though they are sorry, they have not changed because change can take time and sometimes it requires help. It would be wrong to continue to expose yourself or innocent people to their violence. You can love them. You can wish the best for them, pray for them, hope nothing bad happens to them…truely, honestly, forgive them…but not trust them.
Forgiveness and love are required from us. Trust is something that must be earned and maintained by the individual who has done wrong.
Great post, Shaun. I appreciate the reminder.
Kris, I hear what you’re saying and agree. I think anyone who has dealt with abuse in their lives feels much safer adding this caveat. I was feeling the same and tend to feel that if someone talks about forgivness but doesn’t mention the fact that trust is a separate thing. I have a few people in my life I’ve forgiven but don’t necessarily trust. So I completely get where you’re coming from here – good comment.
One great errand to the throne of grace is to pray for the pardon of our sins; and care about this ought to be our daily concern—Matthew Henry Concise
See Mark 11:26. Not forgiving is a sin.
Without God we cannot do anything and that includes forgiveness. No matter how small or great our struggle is, prayer should be the first thing we do. After all we are told to pray without ceasing, meaning we should be in a prayer mode all day long even if that means crying out loud to the Lord while you’re driving…Keep your eyes open though.
All that said, it doesn’t mean it is an easy process, the best example of forgiveness is when Jesus was on the cross and said to His father about his persecutors ” Forgive them father for they know not what they do”. Luke 23:34. When i think of this passage, it makes it easier for me to forgive.