Forgive and Remember

When someone terribly hurt us, we’re reluctant to forgive because we fear that forgiving also requires forgetting. We’re reluctant to forgive because we fear that forgetful forgiving will open us or others up to being hurt again. We’re reluctant to forgive, because we fear that forgetful forgiving will totally ignore or undo the things which are fair and just. By not trying to forgive, we are chaining ourselves to the injuries we suffered from the perpetrator. We would be closing our own hearts to the grace of our forgiving God, which seeks to shine through us all. By not trying to forgive, we would be shutting ourselves of the loving relationship of the person who hurt us. But how does one know when true forgiveness has taken place? More than just words, true forgiveness takes place in the heart. It begins on that day when we no longer carry ill will toward the person who hurt us. By forgiving, we let go of the burden of pain in our own hearts. In forgiving, we opened up a door to personal reconciliation with the person who hurt us. By forgiving we do not necessarily forgive and forget. Rather, what we did was forgive and remember. As Christians, we forgive and remember, to learn from our injuries. We can forgive and remember to protect ourselves and others, from the repetition of those injuries. We can forgive and remember so that fairness and justice are preserved.

-seen from the fb post of my lolo's brother...   :)