Not forgiving just hurts us. It doesn’t hurt the other person. Let’s face it, they may not even care. It’s us that stays awake at night. It’s us that tries desparately to hold back the tears. And it’s us that may snap at someone we love, because the anger we are stuffing down rose up. And it’s us that remain trapped in the hurt and anger. So how can we be free once again?
We need to pray for the person that hurt us. And pray not just for them and their relationship with Jesus, but pray for their needs here here on earth too. Perhaps they are in need of a better job, better health, better circumstances… Perhaps they are shy, in need of friends or better family relationships… We can ask Jesus for all of that.
And if we do, we will also be forced to remember all of the challenges they face, along with any difficult circumstances they may walk in. And slowly, but surely, our empathy and compassion for that person will rise.
And before we know it, if we keep praying for them, our empathy and compassion will rise higher than the hurt.
And one day, we will once again be free!