WHAT LOVE?

"Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that." - Martin Luther King, Jr.

Having watched scores of Hollywood movies it is difficult to consider this topic, forgiveness. Actually it isn't only about the other person, but also about our own growth. We have been taught to, pay people back in their own coin, because it feels good - expected even - to revenge after being hurt.

Four bullets hit Pope John Paul II - two of them lodging in his lower intestine, the others hitting his left hand and right arm. This assassination attempt on the Pope in May 1981 left him severely wounded and with considerable blood loss - his health was never the same again. In July 1981 the perpetrator, Ali Ağca, was sentenced to life imprisonment. Pope John Paul II asked people to pray 'for my brother Agua, whom I have sincerely forgiven'. Two years later, he was to take
the hand of Ali Ağca, then in prison, and quietly tell him that he had forgiven him for what he had done (even though his would-be killer had not even asked for forgiveness).

Mandela it was who once hinted that habouring unforgiveness is like drinking poison, while expecting the other person to die. Life becomes easier, when you're able to accept apologies you haven't even received. Stop analyzing the pain, hurt, betrayal or tears resulting from your grievance. Let it all go, and let God's love heal your heart today. Put a call across to them: those you need to forgive. Tell them, "I forgive you." Shalom!

Let us pray: Father, at your Word I forgive (mention their names) who hurt me, Jesus name.

WISDOM NUGGET: Ephesians 4:31
"Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you..." - KJV