Forgiveness. Empathy. Love
How often have you been on the receiving end of somebody else’s wrath? Did you like it? Forgive me, I like asking ridiculous questions. Of course, nobody likes it when somebody is angry with them. Not too long ago, I made a decision that seemed downright crazy to some people; a lot of people were angry and I was angry that they were angry. Because as far as I was concerned, my decision affected me more than it did them, and they had no right to get mad at me for it.
Of course, the situation was not so simple. Others were definitely affected by my decision but because I was the object of everyone’s anger and harsh words, I didn’t particularly care at that moment; I was in defence mode. I did not want to understand anybody else’s position because I cared only about me and what I felt. In all of my hurt, I found myself wondering if there wasn’t anybody who was willing to understand me and why I made the decision. I wondered if there was anybody who would give me the benefit of the doubt and consider the fact that I was not actually crazy and that there was a reason for my seemingly crazy decision. I also started to wonder how many times I had been like my opposers. How many times have I condemned a person for something that they did that they may have very well regretted. Did I easily offer forgiveness? Did I show love for them by not keeping a record of their wrong?
In my position, I realised that mistakes serve to make us empathetic to others. When we make mistakes, we come face to face with the truth that we really are not perfect. In addition, it reveals to us our hypocrisy. We hate it when others are mad at us but we struggle to offer forgiveness. We covet another’s forgiveness when we do wrong but withhold it from others when they wrong us. It brings to mind a parable that Jesus spoke about; the unmerciful servant (Matthew 18:21-35). How easily we sympathise when the fellow servant who owed his fellow servant a hundred pence, was not offered the same mercy as the one who owed the king more, forgetting that we have more in common with the unmerciful servant when we are unforgiving.
It seems like the hardest thing in the world is to forgive someone who hurt you, worse yet, if they are unrepentant. It may feel as though they are calling you a fool every time they look at you. But the Lord said to pray, “forgive us as we forgive.” In the face of His great forgiveness of our sins, it seems really petty to not do the same for someone else, doesn’t it? Consider this: God is perfect. Even though He has always existed, in all of that time, He has never made a mistake. Ever. God cannot empathise with us who constantly mess things up, we who sin so much against Him, yet He readily and easily offers us forgiveness every time. I can totally understand why He would refuse to forgive someone who would deny others the same courtesy.
Our own mistakes serve to help us love other people. To love unconditionally is difficult. People can be so horrible, you wonder how God could love us like He does. But from the standpoint of someone who makes mistakes, and sometimes big ones that will only go away with time, I understand it a bit more. When you can empathise, it is easier to offer mercy and grace. Again, I stress that God CANNOT empathise with us, not in regards to making mistakes anyway, (for He is perfect) but He offers mercy and grace anyway. So, next time you err, use it to see how you can understand other people when they mess up. It is an opportunity for us to learn to genuinely love without conditions.
Grace and Peace,
Written by Blinded by Grace
Blinded by Grace
Blinded by Grace is a passionate follower of Christ, hailing from the island of St. Vincent.
