Monday, April 2, 2012

An Attitude of Mercy


"Then Peter came to him and asked, "Lord how often should I forgive someone who sins agains me?  Seven times?  "No,not seven times, Jesus replied, but seventy times seven!"
Matthew 18:21-22

I was watching Joyce Meyer this morning and what she spoke about forgiveness really resonated with me. She asked a few questions of her audience too ~What are your expectations for others? Are you legalistic or merciful in your relationships? Are you quick to forgive, believing the best of people?

I believe I am a forgiving person, but when I dig down into the deep corners of myself, there are a few stored resentments and hurts that I want to hang on to. Maybe I think they are justified. Maybe they are..people do hurt us in many different ways...we hurt others too. BUT I know that forgiveness is important for my health and for my relationships with others and with God. Across the board no matter what your religion or your beliefs, forgiveness plays an important role. I will add that that does not mean we always forget what has occurred~ there are certainly terrible things that happen that require setting boundaries and taking care of ourselves. But forgiveness? Sometimes difficult, always necessary.

I am also pondering here today, a question I have for all of us. Do we forgive ourselves as easily as we forgive others? Do we have an attitude of mercy toward "moi"? Are we legalistic or merciful in our relationship WITH OURSELVES? 

Forgiveness~ treating others with kindness...treating ourselves with kindness...treating others with mercy...treating ourselves with mercy...treating others with love and respect...treating ourselves with love and respect. It is so necessary for our health, for our relationships.  Jesus answers Peter's question of how often do we forgive with a strong response.  We are to forgive seventy times seven...in other words as much as we need to....over and over again.  Having an attitude of mercy.

3 comments:

Ginny said...

I personally may be too forgiving when it comes to others, but for me-I am not so forgiving of myself. Thoughts to ponder...thanks for the post.

Renee said...

Hi Ginny...I have a hard time forgiving myself too but God speaks to that and desires we do so!

Gayle said...

I was thinking today about someone who had hurt me often and has passed away. And then I thought, well the Lord will handle it, she will have to account for that. And then i thought and I will have to account for the hurt I have done others as well. We are all flawed...