Sometimes it’s a small, easy decision, but sometimes it’s a monumental decision: forgiveness. I once heard a Christian artist, Mike Donehey, say, “When you forgive people, it actually feels like you're losing. But that's what we're called to do, called to absorb more pain than we inflict. But to give grace actually means someone has to die. Spiritually speaking, you have to take that pain in order to get back mercy, you have to absorb the pain of defense."
So, if it’s so painful, why would anyone in their right mind choose forgiveness? It’s actually a command given by Jesus. One of Jesus’s disciples, Peter, asked Jesus how many times he needed to forgive someone. Peter was even generous and threw out the idea that he would do it seven times. But Jesus pushed beyond Peter’s generosity in Matthew 18:22 (ESV): “Jesus said to him, ‘I do not say to you seven times, but seventy-seven times.’” Then Jesus shared a parable reminding us that we have been forgiven greatly, and in the same way, we should offer great forgiveness to others…even when it’s painful.
If you are struggling with forgiveness, here are three stories of incredible forgiveness to encourage you.
1. Roger
Roger stood face-to-face with the army commander who wiped out his battalion, and he faced the choice of revenge or forgiveness. The difficult choice he made had a surprising effect on the general, the translator, and everyone in the room.
2. Jeff
Jeff never had a real father figure. Later in his life, he had an encounter with his biological father that changed his life. Jeff’s story is a reminder that sometimes we have to forgive even when the other person isn’t sorry.
3. Tiki
Tiki’s story features an incredible act of forgiveness toward the person who took her son’s life. Her unbelievable act of forgiveness has led her to travel and work with her son’s killer to make a difference in other people’s lives.
