Forgiveness

Genesis 32:20 And say ye moreover, Behold, thy servant Jacob [is] behind us. For he said, I will appease him with the present that goeth before me, and afterward I will see his face; peradventure he will accept of me.

It's a tendency in Christians to annoy or  harm others and move on as if nothing happened. But this is not the example our fathers set for us. 

In Genesis 32, Jacob prepared to meet his brother Esau with a gift. This was meant to appease Esau's anger since the time he had stolen his birthright. It shows he was repentant and was seeking forgiveness. After that Act, he met God and his name was changed from supplanter to Israel. This change affected his whole life and for his descendants. 

But we see Christians so defensive of their position and seeking to justify why they cannot forgive or rather ask for forgiveness. This is pride. Even when you were the one who was hurt, don't even try to punish the other person by withholding your forgiveness when they have showed that they want to make amends. This sometimes is done to show superiority over the other. But love cannot see do such. Even Esau didn't either. He had every right to attack his brother and seek revenge. But he didn't. He rather let it go. 

It is said time heals wounds but human nature has proved every now and then that sometimes people store those hurts for a long time even until death. It's only the working of the Spirit of God which brings healing. If it's not him, then one cannot experience true healing. 

Child of God, whom have you hurt before and moved on without mending the relationship? Your words asking for forgiveness accompanied by an action such as carrying a gift to them will cool the other person's anger and restore the relationship.

Seek forgiveness from those you hurt or forgive those who hurt you previously and you will open a channel of blessings in your life.

DK