We’ve all been hurt by the actions or words of another at some point. And the wounds can leave us with lasting feelings of anger, bitterness or even vengeance.
Over the years, David and I have experienced just about everything especially having owned several small businesses. We’ve been stung by many and have faced our own personal challenges.
But one thing we have learned is the power of forgiveness in order to continue moving forward. By embracing it, we’ve been able to welcome in peace, hope, gratitude and joy.
And while most of the time we’ve had to forgive someone, our challenge now has been to forgive “C”. It will always remain a part of our lives. But by forgiving it, we can lessen its grip on us and focus on more positive parts of our lives.
Tonight I thought to share the lyrics of one of the more beautiful songs on forgiveness. The words have carried us through some difficult times. And if you ever have the opportunity to listen to it, please do. We hope you will find the strength from it as we have been able to especially with the powerful statement about who truly benefits from forgiveness – “the prisoner that it really frees is YOU!”
Forgiveness by Matthew West
It’s the hardest thing to give away
And the last thing on your mind today
It always goes to those who don’t deserve
It’s the opposite of how you feel
When the pain they caused is just too real
Takes everything you have to say the word
Forgiveness, forgiveness
It flies in the face of all your pride
It moves away the mad inside
It’s always anger’s own worst enemy
Even when the jury and the judge
Say you’ve got a right to hold a grudge
It’s the whisper in your ear saying set it free
Forgiveness, forgiveness
Show me how to love the unlovable
Show me how to reach the unreachable
Help me now to do the impossible
Forgiveness, forgiveness
Help me now to do the impossible
Forgiveness
It’ll clear the bitterness away
It can even set a prisoner free
There is no end to what its power can do
So let it go and be amazed by what you see through eyes of grace
The prisoner that it really frees is you
Forgiveness, forgiveness