A Journey of Forgiveness
I am not sure if I read or watched in a movie what you will read next. It was a long time ago and perhaps it may sound familiar to you. It happened that two employees had a misunderstanding and it was affecting the team’s productivity. A mediator was asked to look into what is causing the disagreement to find a lasting solution and at the end of the session; the mediator asked them something that threw them off balance. She asked, do you people want to try forgiveness in addition to all we have have agreed on?
When I was writing about the book Forgiveness: Your Access Code, I searched online if I will find this story or film because I knew I have read many books and seen many films, most of which I do not remember the title 😃 but I did not find anything. However, I found something on Forbes: “Forgiveness as a key leadership attribute” by Manpreet Dhillon, founder and CEO of Veza Community.
He said when managers and leaders are working with team members, it’s important to remember that those other people are human. They are going to make mistakes, they are going to say things out of line ……….. or even try to upset you personally in some way. He went on, if we remember that those other people are human beings with their own inadequacies, their own personal issues, frailties and struggles, we will remember that they will inevitably do things that we ‘re unhappy with.
I want you to think on the words of Manpreet and replace those people with your spouse, children, parents, colleagues, friends, acquaintances, neighbours etc.. Offending each other, the small and the big offences are inevitable. However, God gave us a solution and that solution is *Forgiveness*. You may wish to make a list of those people you need to forgive. Yes, if your heart is simple, you will know it is the right thing to do. Also you may say she thinks forgiveness is that easy? No it is not, and God is still teaching me as well. The humble step God wants to see you take is surrendering and acknowledging you need help to forgive and you will see Him take over from there.
As for me, God taught me about forgiveness and He is teaching me still.
After I got a miraculous deliverance from holding on to grudges, I wrote about it in Forgiveness: Your Access Code. I was inspired to write because Jesus instructed in Acts 1 :8b that “you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth”. I received a divine interpretation that where the soles of my feet cannot get to, my voice and my book will get there to bless others. This reminds me that a close friend bought about 5 copies of “Am I ready: A spiritual guide to choosing a life partner” at the launching of the book. Few months later, he said to me, ‘Feyi, I was in Jerusalem and I gave out your book’. Therefore, I may not be able to go to the ends of the earth, but I believe my voice and everything I write will get/reach there. Amen
Now, what did Jesus Himself say about forgiveness?
In Matthew 6, he taught the disciples how to pray. In verse 14, KJV ‘✅For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: 15 says ✅But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. The realisation and acceptance of this verses gave me chills and I began to walk in love as God instructed me.
I would like you to read about “the parable of the unmerciful servant in Matthew 18 : 21 – 35”, for more understanding on Forgiveness.
Forgiveness is one of the most difficult things God asks us to do.
- How do we forgive someone who told a lie about us that left us with great consequences?
- How does one forgive a murderer?
- How does one forgive an adulterous spouse?
- How do we forgive a sibling, parent, child, friend, spouse that hurt us so much?
And so on.
One of the scripture that makes it hard is Luke 17: 3-4 ✅if your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him. If he sins against you seven times in one day, and each time he comes to you saying, ‘I repent, ‘you must forgive him.
I ask you, how do one come to terms with this instruction in Luke 👆🏾except for the grace of God.
Mark 11: 25 also says ✅And when you stand and pray, forgive anything you may have against anyone, so that your Father in heaven will forgive the wrongs you have done.
Extending love to those who have wronged us seems impossible but God’s words are clear. If God feels we cannot do it, He will not ask us to. He knows we can, however, this grace and power needs to be activated by our readiness and once God sees that, He simply takes over. This evidence is seen in Psalm 37:5 KJV✅
Commit the way unto the Lord, trust also in him and He shall bring it to pass.
Always remember the scripture does not say we will be forgiven “even if we do not” forgive others. Instead, forgiving others qualify us for God’s forgiveness.
I encourage you to say this prayer if you are willing to start this journey: “Jehovah, I know those I need to forgive, please teach me to forgive them. Help me to extend the same grace You’ve shown me”.
Amen.
Stay blessed
Feyikemi
