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We should never allow ourselves to be too proud to admit when we're wrong.
Apologizing for a mistake that we've made when it is still fresh in the
memory of the other person shows our character and our care to try to make
things right. Only those with bloated egos refuse to see the error of
their ways and the end result for their life will most likely be a lonely
one. What we must realize is that all people fall short at one time or
another and just as we should forgive those who come to us, we should also
be quick to seek forgiveness when we have done something wrong against others.
The Bible speaks in length concerning forgiveness. One time the apostle
Peter asked the Lord Jesus how many times he should forgive his brother who
has sinned against him. Peter asked is 7 times enough? Jesus answered him
and said forgive 70 times 7. Knowing that we can receive forgiveness for
what we’ve done wrong then we should be quick to seek it. Pretending we
never hurt anyone or refusing to ask forgiveness only hurts us in the end
because our integrity becomes compromised and other’s trust in us becomes
weakened. Be encouraged to put any ego aside and ask forgiveness if you
have hurt someone. When you do, you’ll feel a whole lot better about
yourself because you did what the Lord commands; you asked forgiveness.
(Matthew 18:21-35) (Mark 11:25-26)
I hope this message ministers to your heart to be quick to seek forgiveness
if you have done something wrong against someone else. As simple or as
serious as it may be, asking forgiveness can do a lot to heal the heart
for both you and the recipient.
ASKING FORGIVENESS
My Grandma whom we all called Nanny was a solid, first-generation, Italian
immigrant. She came to this country with her family on a tiny ship during
World War I when she was only 8 years old. During the trip she survived
stormy seas, little food, and an attack by a German U-boat. After getting
here, her large family worked hard to build a new life in America. They
never had much money, but were rich in love. Nanny grew up, married, and
raised 4 sons of her own. And then when my parents moved back into her home
she helped to raise me too.
One day when I was about 5 or 6 years old my parents and brothers went on
a trip. It was just me and Nanny in the house for the weekend. Nanny seemed
so happy to be taking care of me all by herself. She made me a special
breakfast that first morning. I was too young, selfish, and foolish to see
that then, however. All I could do was complain about how the food was not
how Mom always made it. Nanny quietly put down the plate and went into the
living room. I followed a minute later and saw that she had tears in her
eyes. It was the first time I had ever seen my strong, rugged, and proud
Grandmother cry and I was the one who had caused it.
I walked over to Nanny, climbed on her lap, and for the first time in my
short life I did something else too: I apologized without being told to
and asked Nanny to forgive me. She smiled, rubbed my head, and told me I
was a good boy even though I didn’t feel like one then.
That memory just like my Nanny’s love will stay in my heart forever. It is
strange that so many people think it shows weakness to admit your mistakes
and say you are sorry. In truth, it is a sign of both strength and wisdom.
Asking forgiveness helps us to learn, to grow, and to love. It brings us
closer to Heaven and blesses us with God’s love. It helps us to become the
people we were meant to be. It is those who never say they’re sorry who
end up living sorry lives.
By Joseph J. Mazzella
Read and meditate on these scriptures:
Ephesians 4:31-32 “Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour,
and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: And be ye kind
one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for
Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.”
1 John 4:10-12 “Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved
us, and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God
so loved us, we ought also to love one another. No man hath seen God at
any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and His love is
perfected in us.”
Romans 12:1-2 “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God,
that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God,
which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but
be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is
that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”
Philippians 4:8 “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever
things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure,
whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if
there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.”
All of these scriptures can be found in the King James Version Bible.
Today’s Selected Poem: LIFE WITHOUT PURPOSE
Click here to read --- http://www.Godswork.org/inpoem57.htm
Today’s Selected Testimony: OUT OF DARKNESS
Click here to read --- http://www.Godswork.org/testimony103.htm
In Christ’s Service,
Dwayne Savaya
God’s Work Ministry |
