Ba hekaha heheni; ba hebogahisi heheni; emui dika ba hegwau tao heheni, Dirava ese Keriso lalonai emui dika vada e gwau tao na heto.
Ephesians 4:32 NIV
[32] Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
Easier said than done, right? I mean, how do you forgive anyone, especially those who’ve hurt you so bad, physically, emotionally, mentally, etc? How can anyone do that? Is it possible for any human being to do that? How can anyone for that matter forgive me for the pain Ive cause them? How? Why? When?
And as much as we’d all like to think ‘no way’ – the Bible teaches us otherwise, and this verse above reminds us Jesus Christ did all that for us.
Yes, one might argue that Jesus was no ordinary man. But a man He became – and a man He died on that cross ✝️ for our sins, for our salvation and redemption. For forgiveness of our sins so we can have a way back to God.
No, we can never be like Jesus, but we can pray that the helper he promised, the Holy Spirit, will guide and lead us, to know that we are loved beyond measure by the ever present, all knowing and all powerful God and our sins have been forgiven.
I grew up with a mother who was loving, so kind, and always forgiving. I didn’t like that so much, not her, but the forgiving trait of hers. Many times, I’d rant to her, “Why mum? Why do you let these people walk all over you? Why can’t you be angry at them? The hurtful things they say and do to you?”
Her two main responses were always, in our language (motu): “Natugu, taunimanima edia kara ese oi emu namo basine ha dikaia.”
Or: “Ina idia edia kara. Idia edia kara basio kara”
Translation: “My child, never let the actions of others take away the goodness in you.” Or “That’s the way they are. Don’t be like them.”
I realised much later in life that for mum, it was not a choice. It is who she is or was. God bless her soul, may her beautiful soul RIP 🙏
Forgiveness is freely given to us. It’s God’s grace. So we must, in turn, give this grace to others around us, especially to those who hurt us.
Forgiveness brings peace of mind because when we choose not to and continue to hold onto grudges, it’s like cancer. It chirps away at the core and goodness of your whole being. It eats you up and fills you with hatred, envy, and so many other negative emotions.
Luke 6:37 NIV
[37] “Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.
On our own, it will not be an easy path to go down. We must arm our ourselves with God’s word and pray at all times 🙏❤️.
Romans 12:17-18 NIV
[17] Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. [18] If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.
To God be the glory always 🙏
Idau Hahine 