Forgiving Even In Hurt

Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against each other. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.

Colossians 3:13

 

Several years ago in the city where my husband and I were living, a horrific murder happened. Two young men broke into a house and brutally murdered a young couple. They didn’t harm their 18-month old little girl.

This young man and woman graduated from the high school where I was teaching. Actually, the young lady was in one of my classes. I can see her right now—her beautiful face, sweet smile, and big, brown eyes. Both were good students and were well liked by teachers and students. He was a football player; she was a cheerleader and class beauty.

Shock and fear ripped through our city. How could this happen to such a fine couple? They were both raised in Christian homes and were committed Christians themselves. Of course, their parents were heartbroken. Then, there was their precious baby left without parents.

I want to tell you about the father of the young lady.  At first he was filled with anger and rage. He was upset because the police seemed slow in solving this case. Finally, the two murderers were apprehended and jailed.  They didn’t know the couple. They just found a house and decided to kill someone.

After several weeks went by, I visited with the young lady’s father.  I’ll call him Bob. He told me that he had visited the murderers in jail. Bob told them he forgave them, even though their deed had hurt so many people. He then told them that he could only forgive them because Jesus had forgiven him for his sins. Bob told them about Jesus and how to have eternal life and how to have peace in their troubled lives.  Bob and the other father continued to visit the young men.

Forgiving those who have hurt us is so difficult, but God commands it. We can only do this through the power of God in our lives. We will never have peace until we are able to forgive.

Georgia Andrus