Forgiveness & Happiness

Camp Lakeview, IN 10/8/2011 dwm

 It's National Forgiveness and Happiness Day. The page at Holidays Calendar dot com indicates, as you might expect, that this started as a religious observance, but it's not necessary to try some of the suggestions to recognize the day's meaning.

 The act of forgiving is straight-forward. It might start with the person who caused the offense, whatever it was, saying they are sorry for the harm they caused. 

 The person hurt by the offense then accept the apology and forgive them. Sometimes it's difficult to forgive because of the amount of hurt we're feeling. Over time, we might come around to forgiving the offender.

 As a Christian, we acknowledge our wrong doing and ask forgiveness for the wrongs we commit. When we receive forgiveness earned for us by Jesus, effectively erasing it as if it never happened, we forgive those who offend us because we too, are forgiven.

When we are forgiven it lifts a weight from our shoulders, as if it never happened. True forgiveness doesn't bring up past wrongs or keep score. As humans, that's easy to say, difficult to do, and is probably one of the things for which we seek forgiveness. 

When we ask to be forgiven, it's understood we are planning to never do whatever we did (or didn't) do. That doesn't mean we succeed but that's what a repentant wrong-doer intends. 

Letting go of grudges or keeping score of how we've been wronged is good for our mental health, reduces stress, hostility, and lowers blood pressure. 

Wherever you are, whether you think of something you did and regret, apologizing, and being forgiven, will feel good and the person you offended will feel better too.

For more from the author of the subject I'd suggest reading John 3:16.