Do you truly understand what forgiveness is? I'm sharing a text that made me think deeply about it recently…

I thought I understood forgiveness.

Then the anguished cry of a heartbroken hero first filled me with awe, then with hope.

Mahanaim, Land of Promise.

A King and a father await news from the battle, from the safety of the city gate.

Finally, someone is spotted running. The footsteps slow. The king needs to know the state of the nation. The father longs to know the state of his son.

The report arrives, breathless.

The king listens. The father waits… Then:

– But what about my boy??

– What did you say? Which boy? Do you mean the one who killed your eldest son? That bloodthirsty barbarian who tried to steal everything you owned, including the crown? The one who just today launched a campaign to end your life? That boy?

The one who slowly and deceitfully turned your friends against you? Turned your influence to ashes? Shamed you? Slandered your character before your advisors? Destroyed every shred of trust in your kingdom? That boy?

The one who won the hearts of the kingdom's greatest talents, beauties, and skilled individuals? Tore your family apart, then laughed at your sorrow? That boy?

– Yes. Exactly, that boy.

And when the king-father hears that his son is dead, his heart breaks into a thousand pieces.

He begins to sob; he seeks a place to hide his grief.

The watchtower above the gate serves as a hiding place. He stumbles up the rough stone steps made only for soldiers. Breathless messengers and brave guards watch as he ascends, and they hear him say:

“My son Absalom, my son, my son, Absalom! Oh, that I had died instead of you, Absalom, my son, my son! (2 Samuel 18:33).

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My eyes fill with tears as I read these words.

Lord of Glory, teach me to forgive…

Don't get me wrong. I'm known as a merciful man. But this goes against my conscience. How can...?

It's simple:

“Forgiveness is simply love, stronger.”

Stronger than death.

I'm talking about true love...

Until recently, forgiveness was mechanical in my mind. Simply a release of hatred. Almost an indifference saying, "I'm okay, you're okay. I'm not hurt by it."

But forgiveness doesn't end with releasing hatred. It needs to embrace love. True love.

I can feel the distressed hearts of readers who will never comment on this post. Hearts that weep because trust was broken, shame was endured. I feel tears, even in the dark. Your soul sinks, because the hurt was much deeper than I can comprehend.

I don't intend to fully comprehend, but my heart aches with yours. I'm also not so naive as to believe that healing is as quick or simple as a choice.

I have a Master's degree in Psychology and I know and love more brokenhearted people than many will ever know in a lifetime.

But please... Please, my friend! Listen to me... and then speak to every hurting person you know.

Whether you have been slandered, disrespected, shamed, violated, exploited, robbed, crushed, and then ridiculed...

Remember:

David was wounded by his own blood. His family. And it is those closest to us who have the greatest potential to hurt us, as well as to heal us.

But David had love. Love, stronger.

And love is meant to be free.

Speak, yes speak this to the suffering world...

Written by Sean Nebblett. Translated from the blog http://www.seannebblett.com. Published with permission.

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