Forgive and Forget
Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you. Matthew 5:44 (NIV)
Please tell me that it does not take dog fighting or abusing animals to teach us how to forgive. I
mute my TV when the ASPCA commercials across the screen. How can people be so cruel? And
then there is that thing called forgiveness. Animals seem to handle it better than we do, as
veterinarian Ellen Fannon explains in God’s Encouraging Word.
My new patient greeted me with a friendly face-licking as I knelt to examine her. She was a
beautiful pit bull with warm, amber eyes and a tawny coat. Only one thing marred her
attractiveness—the numerous scars on her head and body.
“Jasmine was a bait dog,” her owner volunteered.
My gut clenched. Of course, I suspected Jasmine had been used to train fighting dogs, but the
confirmation churned up a sick feeling in the pit of my stomach. As I continued my examination,
Jasmine flopped over onto her back, exposing her belly just begging for a tummy rub.
“She is the sweetest dog,” her owner went on. “You wouldn’t expect her to be so loving after
everything she went through.”
No, I wouldn’t! Yet I had seen the same scenario many times. Animals rescued from
unbelievably cruel environments displayed not the least amount of bitterness. If only I could
exhibit the same degree of forgiveness toward people who had hurt me.
I have never suffered anywhere near what some of these creatures have, but I sometimes hold
grudges and dwell on injustices from my past. Jasmine’s forgiving nature reminded me of the
words of our Savior as He hung on the cross: “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what
they are doing” (Luke 23:34, NIV). I am chastened by the fact that, despite His innocence and
His agony, Jesus forgave those who intentionally abused Him and put Him to death. If Jesus
could forgive under those circumstances, how much more should I be willing to forgive petty
grievances that I feel so justified in clinging to?
Forgiving people who have hurst us does not come naturally. It is only by allowing the Holy
Spirit to work in us that we are able to let go of pain. For me, this has been a process; but like my
patients who forgive and forget, I can also choose to live a life of joy instead of bitterness.
Jesus, thank You for showing us the ultimate example of forgiveness. AMEN.