Forgiving is not so hard to do

Love may be the greatest of all virtues to some people, but to me I think that the greater virtue is actually forgiveness.

I believe that love and forgiveness go hand in hand with each other. Indeed, they are so intertwined that most of the time it’s impossible to separate the two.

To think of it, someone did say once that, “There is no love without forgiveness, and there is no forgiveness without love.” Isn’t that true?

Now, we all know what forgiveness is but more importantly, do we know how or what it is to forgive?

For without forgiveness, life is governed by an endless cycle of hurts, resentment and retaliation.

If we allow these to simmer inside of us, the unforgiving like jealousy will eventually eat our good hearts out, isn’t that so?

To know more about this subject, I would strongly recommend the reading of Lewis B. Smedes’ book entitled, “Forgive & Forget: Healing the hurts we don’t deserve”.

William A. Ward said a long time ago, which is still probably true today: “Forgiveness is a funny thing. It warms the heart and cools the sting.”

Did you know that (?) and I quote Elbert Hubbard here, “The ineffable joy of forgiving and being forgiven forms an ecstasy that might well arouse the envy of the gods.”

When you forgive, it takes you from the place of the victim to that of a victor. Isn't that wonderful?

Indeed, it has been said: "You will be richer today if you have laughed, given or forgiven."

In conclusion, I quote Peter Ustinov: “Love is an act of endless forgiveness, a tender look which becomes a habit.”

Go ahead, make it a habit. I am sure that all of us are well capable of giving as well as receiving this great virtue called forgiveness. Try it.