How quick are you to ask for forgiveness or to forgive others?
A few months back, a girlfriend and I were talking about that. . .forgiveness and how a particular incident involving a friend of ours had somehow brought us to that crossroad. The question or rather the phrase "Aiyah, I just cannot. . ." clearly reflects our holding back on the issue. During a meeting recently, I leafed through a book brought in by another friend and the letters of the following sentence came alive sending a pricking sensation into my state of falling into unconsciousness (I was really trying not to fall asleep over a very boring agenda!!)
"There are a number of reasons we struggle to truly forgive others."
1) Fairness. It's true forgiveness isn't fair. But if we all got only what we deserve, none of us would have a chance to be at peace with God and others. . .and probably with ourselves(?)
2) Pride. We also struggle to forgive because of our pride. If we 'let someone off the hook', we wonder how we can feel good about ourselves and whether others will just take advantage of us. Tidak mau minta/mengaku kalah(?)
3) Deep hurts. Some people have hurt us deeply and really aren't looking for forgiveness at times. This makes forgiveness extremely difficult and painful. In some cases, forgiving others doesn't guarantee you will have a good relationship with that person - or should even be around them. But even if forgiveness doesn't change that person, it does change you for the better in your heart.
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