Forgiving Once is Divine, Several Dozen Times Is Not

If you want to catch a glimpse of what divine forgiveness might feel like, try forgiving someone who’s done something crappy to you. Over coming the urge to be spiteful is certainly good for your heart and soul, and will make you look more like a saint than you’d appear otherwise.

Of course, being a stingy turd with this is the easy path; who hasn’t succumbed to the temptation to hold a grudge, or to try and get even with someone? It mostly seems our default setting, unfortunately. Naturally, you always have some feeling of guilt. It isn’t just religion that condems such wickedness, most of society’s laws and moral codes demand that you at least refrain from doing evil to get even.

It’s one thing to not talk to someone, another to shoot them, or burn their house down. Still, without violating the law, we still find plenty of harmful and sleazy things to inflict on someone we’re mad at! If you understood how much you’re damaging your own soul, you’d maybe be less inclined to do so? The fact is pretty simple; failing to forgive people does you more harm than it does them.

Naturally, people who’ve done you wrong would just love to be forgiven. No one likes to be ignored, abused, gossiped about, or to have their butt kicked by the person they’ve offended. Many people come with a sincere sounding appology, and beg your forgiveness, especially significant others, when threatened with divorce or banishment. Go ahead and forgive them. Once. Don’t be so quick to forgive them, especially for the same offense, the second time. By three and beyond, just kick their butt and move on. Jesus said to forgive those who offend you. But neither he nor anyone else said you had to be a doormat for some weasel!

Jack