THE POWER OF FORGIVENESS IN MINISTRY

You have a long way to go if you have not yet become a forgiver. There are different forms of courage: forgiveness, academic, military, advocacy, speaking, sports and others. However, the courage to forgive is one of the biggest. Anyone who can forgive those who hurt him or her is indeed a courageous person.

Some time ago, I struggled with an offence. It was one of my toughest moments. In the process of having critical contemplations on how to respond, I discovered a huge connection between forgiveness and accomplishing our responsibilities. The challenge stretched me in understanding life and how to relate to people better. I can now boldly say that for you to become a true achiever you have to first become a forgiver. Offering forgiveness to someone who hurt you is one of the evidences of knowing God.

Forgiveness unlocks doors of opportunities. There is someone’s growth in forgiveness. For instance, if a husband and wife are divorced, both of them will not be stable. Their children too will suffer as a result of the instability. However, if they choose to forgive, many consequences of unforgiveness will be averted. If you refuse to give out forgiveness you will lack the oil that will lubricate your journey of living meaningfully. I have learnt to set my forgiveness on auto; functioning before an offence.

God forgives that is why we are still alive. Maybe you are where you are because someone has forgiven you. Without forgiveness, success, peace and victory would only be built on sinking sand.

You must be offended. Those close or far from you will make mistakes: consciously or unconsciously. You will feel the pain when that happens and probably think of vengeance or holding on to unforgiveness. It is a challenge you should expect to happen. A storm that will either build you up or destroy you.

There is a tale of a man who was asked by a genie to choose one thing and whatever his choice was double of it will be given to his neighbour that he did not like. After a thoughtful consideration, he requested that one of his eyes be removed so that the two eyes of his neighbour would be removed. What a wicked way of relating to his neighbour. Some people are in a similar situation, thinking of vengeance against those who hurt them. The decision to forgive or avenge makes them restless. Our body systems have not been designed to sustain evil. Any such sustenance breaks us and affects those around us.

Un-forgiveness means you are part of the devil’s circle and influence. The story of the servant forgiven by his king, who later refused to forgive his fellow servant, is a good reminder of the need to forgive. His un-forgiveness led to his punishment (Matthew 18:23-34).

Many people will promise you and fail. Many will be against you. Even those you respect and consider as mentors can hurt you. This is the circle of living in the world. Whenever you face any of these situations, tell yourself that the only worrisome problem in the world is separation from God. Anybody or issue that has not yet achieved that is only a setback that will be overcome. Also tell yourself that you are a traveller. The destination will soon be reached.

Now or later, when the opportunity comes, stand up for what is right and be counted among the heroes of forgiveness. You can forgive by the grace of God.

 

Pusonnam Yiri

Theologian- Entrepreneur- Journalist

(Excerpts from my book, THE MEANINGFUL LIFE).