Forgiveness Is Like Water

for • give

Verb

• Stop feeling angry or resentful toward (someone) for an offense, flaw, or mistake.

• Cancel (a debt).

[source Oxford Languages]

I don’t know how you feel, but personally I feel as though I am constantly having to forgive--like daily!

Some days, I am forgiving the guy who flipped me off at an intersection for no apparent reason at all!

Some days, I am forgiving my child who broke a special keepsake. 😭

Random days, I am forgiving my ex-husband for something he did that offended me.

Other days, I am forgiving my current husband for his not so perfect, human ways.

On the tough days, I am forgiving that friend or family member who chose to not be present in our lives and walked away.

And on the toughest of days, I am forgiving myself for the many regrets. 💗 If only my younger self knew what the older me knew, life would look very different today.

But my motto is, “A mistake is not a mistake if you learned from it--it is a lesson.”

And on the best days--actually everyday--I am asking God to forgive me of my sins.

Forgiveness is like water; not a day goes by that it is not necessary.

When a person is parched for water it shows physically and emotionally. My kids go hard at the park, but let me tell you, when they are thirsty they get sluggish, stop playing, and get a drink. If water is not available, it will not be a pretty sight (Lord help me!). They get frustrated, panicked, and maybe even cry.

Just like the lack of water, when a person has not forgiven the accumulating offenses that pile up daily, it starts to show physically and emotionally. You become easily irritated, you frown more and smile less, you desire less interaction with people, and you begin to conduct yourself in a manner that is offensive rather than helpful towards people. Have you ever heard the saying, “Hurting people hurt people”? The longer a person goes without forgiving, the worse this list becomes.

On the contrary, a forgiving person is easy to spot. They have a big smile, love, compassion, joy, and a welcoming spirit within them.

Forgiveness is an investment that you personally benefit from the most.

One thing that must be remembered is that: forgiveness is a process. Process is not immediate, it takes time. Some offenses are easier to forgive than others.

The more people you are around, the more forgiveness you will need. Just like exerting yourself calls for more water. People are not perfect, they are full of faults. More people equals more faults--it’s a simple equation. The more you forgive, the easier it does get.

Forgiveness is a valuable necessity. How do you get more of it? Well, unfortunately it is not sold on Amazon. If only it was a click and one shipping day away, more people would get it!

Forgiveness takes effort; it is an exercise of the heart and exercise can be strenuous.

• Start by asking God to forgive you daily. Repentance shines light on our own faults, and in turn we are quicker to forgive others.

• Second, recognize the need to forgive others as you journey through your days. Forgiving others makes the world a better place to live in.

• Lastly, treat people as though you have already forgiven them. Remember, forgiveness can be a process. While working to keep the right attitude towards people, you are also keeping in mind your need to see the process through.

“For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.” Matthew 6:1

Disclaimer: If you are in a physically, sexually, emotionally, or mentally abusive relationship, seek professional help! Do not continue living under the same roof until it is safe to return. Safety under the same roof may or may not happen. Please start and finish the process of forgiveness, but please do not allow abuse in your life. Forgiving the abuse done to you and allowing it to continue are not the same. Get help now!

I do not want you mistreated and neither does God. Leaving an abusive relationship is the right thing to do.