Easier

 “Life becomes easier when you learn to accept an apology you never got.” (Robert Brault)

As a follower of Christ, I would hope offering an apology when I’ve wronged someone is something that comes easily and naturally to me, but it doesn’t.  My default settings involve going to many different people to get their opinion on what I should do (as I talk badly about the offended). The second thing I may decide to do is completely ignore the individual as I chop them out of my life. The correct thing to do involves meeting with the offended person as I apologize (in a spirit of love). My faults are many at times, and I wonder at times if a real apology to God can make a real difference for all the wrong things I’ve done over the years.

Over the years, I have also learned there is a correct way to accept an apology. The correct way involves saying something like this: “Thank you, I appreciate your apology.”  You should mean your words. The wrong way to accept an apology is to verbally agree with what the person is speaking.  Saying something like, “I agree with what you said because you were absolutely wrong.” Words like these mean you emotionally not in the right place to accept the apology. Plus, words like this ignite the temper, which means additional words will be said that will later require another apology.

There are two sets of verses in the Bible that help us better understand what our heavenly Father wishes from His followers on the topic of apologies. I Corinthians 13:11 (TPT) says, When I was a child, I spoke about childish matters, for I saw things like a child and reasoned like a child. But the day came when I matured, and I set aside my childish ways. Matthew 5:23-24(VOICE) says, Therefore, if you are bringing an offering to God and you remember that your brother is angry at you or holds a grudge against you, then leave your gift before the altar, go to your brother, repent and forgive one another, be reconciled, and then return to the altar to offer your gift to God.

I get a simple message from both of these verses combined together that I believe applies to everyone (including me). It is this: “It is past time to be an adult, and make right what is wronged (if that is possible).  Forgiveness makes you right with yourself, and God.” With the aid of your heavenly Father, you can become capable in this area of your life (when it needs to happen).