30 Day Course on Faith - Day 16

Faith and Forgiveness

What is forgiveness?

I’ve heard it called a gift, a miracle, an obligation, and a law – whichever way you look at it, we all need forgiveness and we all need to forgive.  The simple definition of forgiveness is “the act of excusing a mistake or offense.”  Anyone who has loved and forgiven knows that forgiveness is so much more than that.

          "We are not perfect. The people around us are not perfect. 

          People do things that annoy, disappoint, and anger. In this 

          mortal life it will always be that way. Nevertheless, we must 

          let go of our grievances. Part of the purpose of mortality is to 

          learn how to let go of such things. That is the Lord's way. 

          Remember, heaven is filled with those who have this in 

          common: They are forgiven. And they forgive." 

          ~Dieter F. Uchtdorf

Forgiveness is a choice we make in our heart to release the negativity and blocks that are keeping us from attracting more good in our lives.  Forgiveness is getting rid of poison in our mind and body, which left unchecked would turn into hatred and bitterness.

Chinese philosopher Confucius said, "To be wronged or robbed is nothing unless you continue to remember it."  When bitten by a rattlesnake, there are two courses of action that can be followed: pursuing the creature and killing it in anger or vengefulness - or quickly getting the venom out of our system.  One course of action puts us in great danger; the other course of action heals us. 

Why forgive?

When you forgive someone who has wronged you, you take away their power over you.  You free up vital space in your mind that can now be used to create joy in your life.  You also lighten your load.  It has been said, “One of the heaviest loads a man can carry is a grudge.”  We become a better person as we forgive, and we all deserve greatness.

Studies show that people who forgive are happier and healthier than those who hold resentments.  Less forgiving people report a greater number of health problems.  We are starting to realize that forgiveness is helpful to our physical health as well as our emotional well-being.  Negativity of any kind prevents good things from entering your life and can cause serious damage to your health. 

On October 2, 2006, a shooting occurred at the West Nickel Mines School, an Amish one-room schoolhouse in Pennsylvania.  The gunman, a 32-year-old milkman who lived in the community but was not Amish, shot ten girls, killing five of them and then killing himself.

What was surprising was the way the Amish community responded.  They forgave immediately.  Within hours, they reached out to the gunman's family to comfort them.  They attended the gunman's funeral.  They invited his family to attend the funeral services of the girls who had been killed. 

Letting go of grudges is a deeply rooted value in Amish culture.  The Amish willingness to forgo vengeance doesn't undo the tragedy or pardon the wrong, but constitutes a first step toward a future that is more hopeful.

"Forgiveness comes more readily when, like the Amish, we have faith in God and trust in His word. Such faith "enables people to withstand the worst of humanity. It also enables people to look beyond themselves. More importantly, it enables them to forgive." ~Marjorie Cortez - "Amish Response to Tragedy Is Lesson in Faith, Forgiveness," Deseret Morning News, Jan. 2, 2007, p. A13.)

Daily Challenge: Every day for 30 days in a row, 

I want you to say the following out loud at least 10 times each day!!!  

Be sure to say it cheerfully and enthusiastically!  

This scripture is found in Philippians 4:13:

“I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” 

You've now completed this challenge 16 days in a row!
Be sure to congratulate yourself for a job well done!