Forgiveness
“Now instead, you ought to forgive and comfort him,
so he will not be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow.”
2 Corinthians 2:7
We have an opportunity to forgive every time someone sins against us. Jesus Christ, whom we have all sinned against, forgave us and He commands us to forgive as we have been forgiven. Have you ever been grieved by the bad choice of a friend? That choice may have created profound, impactful heartache. Likewise, have you ever wronged someone and hurt them deeply? Did you want to be forgiven for your actions?
Joseph had plenty of good reasons not to forgive his brothers. Out of jealousy they had plotted to kill him, stripped him of his robe, threw him into an empty tank, then sold him to a caravan going to Egypt; only to then lie to their father that he had been devoured by a ferocious animal. However, years later when his brother’s came to Egypt to retrieve some food during the famine, Joseph, now being the governor of the land, recognized them and wept. (Genesis 37 & 42-45) He forgave his brothers and offered to them all he possessed so they would no longer
feel distressed and punished for what they had done.
The remorse one has for his actions is painful. The more we punish the one who wronged us, the more burdened they may become because of that sin, crippling them from moving forward in their life and hindering the healing of the relationship. Let us forgive and console our spouses, parents, children and friends for their imperfections, and pray that they forgive us ours. Then, we can cast off unnecessary sorrow and walk with one another in joy and peace.
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