Forgiveness

​​Just typing the word can be challenging. We all know we need to live a life forgiving people, but it sure can be hard, especially when we are so right that everyone else agrees with you. When someone wrongs us, does something so terrible on purpose just to upset you, it can be incredibly hard to even consider forgiving them. And when they do it multiple times, the idea of forgiveness is near impossible to fathom.
Forgiveness is one of the hardest things Christians have to learn to do. It is much easier to just separate from people who hurt us, take advantage of us, or love to test our faith in God. The world says we can’t allow people to do that. It tells us that when we allow people to walk all over us, that we are weak and pathetic, and that those people will continue to take and take from us.
Jesus tells us that is exactly where He wants us. In Matthew 5:44-46, Jesus really hammers us with this: “But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who spitefully use you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes the sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even tax collectors doing that?” His words are clear. From Heaven’s perspective, we are living out the Gospel best when we allow people to walk all over us, taking advantage of us, and blessing them while they do it. 
God’s Kingdom is upside from this world. The greatest are the least, the least are the greatest, and the meek inherit the earth (not survival of the fittest, but survival of the meekest). So when people take advantage of you, and you bless them, you are actually doing what God wants. “But if you do that then they will just continue to take from you knowing you are weak.” Yes. And Blessed are you when you do.

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