Forgiveness is paradoxically such a simple but difficult concept. There is little doubt that it is better to forgive, something that not only the Bible tells us, but so does modern science and psychology. It’s better for us to let go of a hurt than to fixate and obsess over it, and the only way to completely let go of something is to forgive the perpetrator. When we hold onto a grudge, we in effect become a slave to the past event that has taken control of our hearts and our lives. Better by far to face the issue head on, address it, and forgive and move on.
This is all very easy to say, but none of this makes forgiving those who hurt us any easier. When it comes to being wronged, we want the world to know, and to recognize that we are the one in the right! We might grudgingly grant forgiveness because we think we have to, but having a heart that openly forgives is a very difficult thing.
What is it that stands in the way of forgiveness? At its core, our sinful hearts want to react to sin with further sin. How do we put our sinful desires back in their place, and embrace the example of Christ as he forgave the men responsible for his crucifixion? Its important that we be honest with ourselves, because there are some very serious obstacles to forgiveness that we have to face down and defeat if we want to follow our Savior’s example.
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