by Catherine Ponder
Most folks are afraid of the word "forgive," thinking that it means they must do something unpleasant and dramatic; but the word simply means to "give for"-to let go of old ideas, feelings or conditions and to give something better in their place. The "giving for" process forms a vacuum and makes way for new good to rush in.
I have discovered from talking with hundreds of people about their problems and from corresponding with hundreds more that inevitably when a stubborn problem does not yield, it is because there is a need for forgiveness. I have further discovered that if only one person connected with the problem will start the action of forgiveness, all concerned will respond, be blessed and the solution will come.
For instance, a very wealthy woman became involved in a legal tangle over some of her deceased husband's business property. It was all very embarrassing to her because the defendant in the court case whom she was suing was a former family friend. In great distress she attended a prayer group one night and poured out her plight to those present. To her dismay, however, the prayer group members did not become upset about her problem at all; nor did anyone seem particularly sympathetic. In fact, they completely surprised her by saying that her problem would be solved if she would forgive the man whom she was suing. Aghast, she replied, "Forgive him? I only wanted you to pray that I would win against him in this court case. He has done such terrible things!" But the prayer group stood firm. She left in disgust but returned the next week and was again, assured that forgiveness could solve everything. For many days after that she began to consider seriously the power of forgiveness. One day as she was driving along in her car thinking of this former family friend with whom she was now at law, she cried out, "Lord, I hu¬manly cannot forgive that man. But if You can, please forgive him through me." Suddenly a feeling of great peace came, and she then gave thanks for it and dismissed the matter from her mind.
A few days later this man came into town and went to see her lawyer. He asked her lawyer if he might pay her a personal visit. Hesitantly, the lawyer replied, "I suppose so, but it will do you no good. If you want to settle this case, you will have to deal with me as her attorney." The defendant replied, "Oh, I do not wish to visit this lady to talk about the court case. I wish to visit her simply because we were once friends, and r always greatly admired her husband. I would just like to see her as in former times and talk of old times." And so in a friendly way he paid his call, during the course of which, the subject of the court case finally arose.
They amicably agreed to settle the matter quietly out of court to the mutual satisfaction of all concerned. Thus, the power of letting go of fixed ideas, attitudes and opinions, which make way for more pleasant experiences.