I'M SORRY
by Melanie Schurr

As an adolescent, I had a difficult time saying " I'm sorry," most likely because it was never taught to me how important these two little words are. Thanks to a good friend, I later learned this most valuable lesson, and applied it whenever I inadvertently hurt a loved one's feelings with an insensitive comment, an unkind deed, or a major screw-up.

The profound affect this seemingly insignificant phrase can have as it touches the heart of another is something worth, not only exploring, but teaching our children.

The words, "I'm sorry," can erase years of pent up bitterness, and act as a soothing balm to the injured heart of the person who needs to hear these words. The phrase, "I'm sorry," is not something we do just for the "other person," but we do it for ourselves, and for God, so that we do not carry negative emotional and spiritual baggage that may cause us to harbor guilt, bitterness, resentment, or strained friend and family ties. These few words spoken in less than a few seconds, show the person we have injured, whether purposely or not, that the pain they are experiencing, is important to us, and it is our desire to help lessen that heavy load.

Saying, "I'm sorry," is a gift of love and personal responsibility because it enables us to come face to face with our mistakes, as well as validates the other persons pain. To fail to acknowledge the hurt of another human being is similar to walking by the scene of an accident and doing nothing while a fellow man suffers. There is no difference to God if we ignore a man bleeding and dying in the street, or turn our nose up at the emotional hurts of another human being.

Of the many lessons the Bible teaches, the practice of repentance is stressed. While God forgives those who seek His mercy, He does not offer forgiveness to those who refuse to admit their sins or attempt to hide the true contents of their heart from our Heavenly Father's ever-watchful eye. God cannot forgive the unrepentant, and if we do not forgive others, God will not forgive us.

Today, as you ponder this lesson, won't you consider open corners in your own life that could benefit from the healing words of "I'm sorry?" This includes things we may have done against our fellow man, as well as to God. As our heavenly Father, God is rich with mercy to those who set pride aside and humbly approach Him, but unless we reach out and take hold of His always extended hand, we will forever carry our sinful burdens like a heavy bag of bricks that sets upon our back to weight us emotionally down, and rob us of our spiritual salvation.

Lessen your load. Call on Christ today.

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Forwarded by a son_of_Carmel