So if you are presenting a sacrifice at the altar in the Temple and you suddenly remember that someone has something against you, leave your sacrifice there at the altar. Go and be reconciled to that person. Then come and offer your sacrifice to God.
Matthew 5:23-24 NLT
While it sounds somewhat noble to go around forgiving others, this all comes home to roost when I recognise I also need others to forgive me. So the second healing phrase is “Please forgive me”.
Roosting is a useful phrase. I was talking with a friend who was telling me about some restoration that was needed to their roof. For years birds had nested under the tiles. As my friend stripped back the roof, they discovered the scale (img)of the problem. The birds had successfully and repeatedly torn away at the felt beneath the tiles and done real structural damage. Unseen to the naked eye, only when the tiles were removed was the extent of the damage revealed. Damage that was expensive to put right.
Failing to seek forgiveness creates similar damage, often unseen and unquantifiable beneath the roof that protects our inner life and well-being. Dr Steven Standiford, chief of surgery at the Cancer Treatment Centers of America, writes: “It’s important to treat emotional wounds or disorders because they really can hinder someone’s reactions to the treatments, even someone’s willingness to pursue treatment.” So today forgiveness therapy is now being used to help treat diseases such as cancer. Let’s not delay and allow the damage beneath the roof of our life to accumulate. Start practising this scripture and ask for forgiveness. It is good for both our spiritual and physical health.
Although it can be tough acknowledging our need of forgiveness, it will lead to a sense of peace within, the peace that “passes all understanding” (Philippians 4:7, RSV). Make repairs while you still can.
QUESTION
What stops you from asking for forgiveness: pride, embarrassment, shame?
PRAYER
Heavenly Father, I need your forgiveness for my sins. Show me who and what else I need to ask forgiveness of, and for.
Image-1-16.png