When Forgiveness Isn't Easy

 Artwork by Lauren Anderson

I shared in my last blog about a dream I had. I was traveling down a dark road in that dream. It was a path I had to take, there was no stopping it, but it was scary. That has been very true of my life recently. I shared how God has brought about healing and understanding in my relationship with the passenger in my dream. I wouldn't trade that for the world! She is one of the most important people in my life, and I love her.

Today I want to share a little of what I think the darkness on that road represents. The path to our destiny is lined on both sides by darkness, those things opposing us. Jesus' path to His destiny (the cross) was lined the same way. Jesus was taken to trial and accused. We all know that He had no sin, yet He stood silent before His accusers. The initial human response to that situation would be to defend yourself against falsehoods, but Jesus is our example. He stood silent. Imagine the emotions going on in His heart. Here was a man who had done nothing but good, and yet He had people jeering at Him and spitting upon Him, calling Him all sorts of things. The truth is each and everyone of us deserve some of what is thrown our way. We've all done something worthy of punishment, even if what we are being accused of is a falsehood.

The truth is I've been having a hard time dealing with this part of my walk lately. I haven't had a difficult time staying silent. I do that quiet well. (Ha Ha to those of you laughing right now at the thought of me being silent). I'm very good at biting my tongue and hiding when I've been injured. Do I love to talk and socialize? Yes, I do, but when it comes to what I'm talking about here, I know how to stay silent. I've done it for years.  My struggle has been keeping anger out of my heart.

When Jesus hung on the cross he cried out, "Father, forgive them for they know not what they do." He was praying for the one who turned Him in, for those who mocked Him, for those who spit upon Him, for those who beat Him, for all of those who placed Him on the cross, and we must do the same. It's not always easy. I've struggled so much lately with feeling justified in hating those who've purposefully injured me, but my heart cries out, "Father, forgive them for they know not what they do." 

Jesus help me to walk in love and forgiveness. 

Be blessed and be made whole,

Schledia