When Forgiveness Begins

Failing someone or yourself leads to guilt and remorse of some level in your heart and mind. The pain we feel and the fear of the unknown results of that failure overwhelms our emotions to the point of becoming bigger than the failure itself. Why?

Why do we allow ourselves to feel bitter against someone or our self enough to block any and all love that is available but ignored because of our own weak self image and lack of forgiveness? I believe its due to the failure to accept and understand the love of God. Let me explain.

In 1 John 4:7-9 it says, "Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him." In this simple writing we get confused about love because we thought love came from within our own heart and it does. But love was placed in your heart from the maker of love and the maker of life ... God. Love comes from God, because God is love.

When does God forgive us when we have failed? Immediately. Do we need to ask for forgiveness? Yes, but He has forgiven you already because He loves you forever. We, on the other hand, cannot forgive ourselves or others that quickly. This becomes our problem and guilt is born along with bitterness. We are the makers of that guilt and bitterness, not God. At that moment we try to be God, but without the love.

As children disobey parents, the love of the parent does not stop. Parents love their children beyond the child's own comprehension. When children fail parents are not pleased, but love does not leave. Parents wait for their request for forgiveness, but have already forgiven them. Just as God loves us, we are forgiven before forgiveness is asked.

I have failed loved ones in my past, and have failed God in my past. I have come to realize that although I know God's promises are true and His love (and forgiveness) never fail, others may choose not to forgive me, even after multiple attempts of asking for their forgiveness. I still love them very much, but their lack of accepting my request for forgiveness is only stalling my open arms of loving them, as I have always done. They have 'created' bitterness and lack of forgiveness themselves and choose not to love.

"Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him." 1 John 4:7-9

No one is perfect and everyone makes mistakes - that's part of life. The freeing part of being born in this failure of humanity is we have a Creator who loves us, forgave us, and has a plan to use His love in our lives to love others, as we should.

Father, please forgive me for my past and future failures. Help me to forgive myself as you have forgiven me. Bless those who I have failed and are struggling to forgive me, and give them all they are asking You for today. In His Love, Amen.