A Lesson on Forgiveness

I just finished reading a book that talked about the importance of forgiveness. You can't have healing without it. Forgiveness is a letting go of the wrong done and the person(s) who wronged you. I heard someone say that as long as you're holding a grudge, you're holding the person who wronged you hostage. That isn't necessarily true. In fact, the person who is being held hostage as long as you are unable to forgive is you. As long as you hold on to that wrong, it's got a hold on you and still has power over you. So, in forgiving, we're actually freeing ourselves and taking back our power over that particular situation. Maybe that's why Jesus said, "Seventy times seven." (Matt. 18: 21-23)

I was having a particularly hard time one day, just about a year ago, with the forgiveness thing. I was almost at a point of no return and stopped to breathe and pray. True to form, God gave me a little lesson on The Power of Ten. He never fails me.

The Power of Ten

We've all heard the expression "Count to ten first." When you think you've reached your breaking point and you're angry, ten isn't a very big number at all.

I was led to check into the Gospels in regards to that expression, "Count to ten first." Sure enough...there were ten occasions on which Jesus could have "lost it". I read from the book of Matthew, but all four Gospels record them with little variation.

1) He found the disciples sleeping in the Garden of Gethsemane during his darkest hour.

2) He came back a second time and found them sleeping again.

3) Judas betrayed Him with a kiss.

4) Peter denied Him.

5) San Hedrin council members beat Him and mocked Him.

6) Peter denied Him again.

7) Soldiers mocked Him.

8) Peter denied Him a third time.

9) Crowds mocked Him.

10) One of the robbers crucified with Him mocked Him.

Suddenly, that expression, "Count to ten first," has much more significance, especially when I think of how He prayed on the cross for their forgiveness.