April 29, 2011

Daily Choice

The question I am hearing the most about forgiving is surprisingly not; “why” but rather “how.”  “How do I forgive them what they did to me”?  It is a choice we make not something that will happen on its on. This is how I start each day.

I will choose to begin this day with a forgiving spirit. I will forgive even those who do not ask for forgiveness. Many are the times when I have been so angry at a word or deed thrown into my life by an unthinking or uncaring person. Valuable hours have been wasted imagining revenge or confrontation. Now I see the truth revealed about this psychological rock inside my mind. The rage I nurture is often one-sided, for my offender seldom gives thought to his offense! I will now and forevermore silently offer my forgiveness even to those who do not see that they need it. By the act of forgiving, I am no longer consumed by unproductive thoughts. My bitterness is given up. I will greet this day with a forgiving spirit. I will forgive those who criticize me unjustly.  I am not where I want to be with forgiveness, but I am on my way.  Make each day a day of forgiveness.