When you get close to people, chances are, you're going to get your heart hurt every so often.
“Forgiveness is the final form of love.”
~Reinhold Niebuhr
Whether we realize it or not, the word “love” can be associated with the word “forgiveness.” Seems like an unlikely pair to mix. Yet, they can be a follow-up of sorts to a deep hurt perhaps stemming from unkind things or untrue things said when we were trying to get our point across to a loved one. These two words together, love and forgiveness, provide an unbelievable strength when our hearts think about love and forgiveness as Jesus does. His perspective changes the way we are able to love others. His example of love and forgiveness changes lives. Most often our own.
In 1 Peter 4:8, the Bible says, “Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sin.” Has there ever been a time when you, yourself wished someone would forgive you and give you another chance to express your loving heart toward them? Can you forgive someone as someone perhaps has forgiven you in the past?
Ephesians 4:32 reminds us, “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” This truth sets souls free! Lewis B. Smedes said, “To forgive is to set a prisoner free and to discover that the prisoner was you.” Forgiveness can heal our own heart and restore an unknown freedom.
When you get close to people, chances are, you are going to get your heart hurt every so often. If at all possible, start praying and preparing your heart ahead of time. Preparation like this immediately starts the repairing and transformation of how your heart can handle the hurt. Psalm 130:4 encourages, “With You (Lord) there is forgiveness, so that we can, with reverence, serve you.”
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