It’s hard to forgive people that hurt you, isn’t it? This week, Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer, who sung her way into the top 10 of American Idol, died. So many are mourning her loss by recalling her life, her music, and her American Idol journey. Part of that journey was Mandisa standing up to Simon Cowell, who had a reputation of being intimidating.
So, what did Simon Cowell do that was hurtful? He had made a cruel joke about her weight. After her “Idol” audition, Cowell made a comment ‘about needing a bigger stage.’ She later confronted him by saying, “A lot of people want me to say a lot of things to you. What I want to say to you is that, yes, you hurt me, and I cried, and it was painful. It really was. But I want you to know that I’ve forgiven you and that you don’t need someone to apologize to forgive somebody. I’ve been forgiven so much. And that if Jesus could forgive me for all my wrongs, I could extend the same grace." Cowell apologized and was humbled and gave Mandisa a big hug.
Wow, just wow! I loved Mandisa's courage, her strengh and her ability to articulate her forgiveness to Cowell. Perhaps it's amazing because we just don't see it enough. Take a listen: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a5KQwCsWYgI
Forgiveness is hard. I think you know when you haven’t forgiven someone. You think about that person in a negative way. They occupy way too much space in your mind. You’re in a mental jail. You remember exactly what they did to hurt you and you recall it often. And it doesn’t seem to go away. That’s unforgiveness.
Yet, Jesus’ teachings tells us that forgiveness is the core of the Christian faith. Matthew 11:25 says “And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.” It’s because of God sending Jesus to die as the final sacrifice for the forgiveness of our sins, that we too, can forgive and show grace to others. Colossians 3:13 says “Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.”
When Cowell said those hurtful comments to Mandisa, that hurt Mandisa to the core. Any of us would be hurt by that. And when we are hurt by others, it triggers hurt in our hearts. It’s easy to turn that hurt to bitterness unless we deal with it. And deal with it we must unless we want to hold on to unforgiveness.
This past weekend, my husband served inside a prison. There are many there who will be there for life. There crimes were so vile and heinous to warrant a return to the outside. However, with Jesus, there is no exceptions as to who can receive forgiveness. If those inmates trust in Jesus and receive His forgiveness, they too, are free, even though in prison.
Has it been hard for you to forgive? I pray that you and I will be free to forgive as Jesus has forgiven us. Could we be men and women who don’t seek to revenge, but instead release our desire to be bitter and extend grace to others?
Wow, just wow! I loved Mandisa's courage, her strengh and her ability to articulate her forgiveness to Cowell. Perhaps it's amazing because we just don't see it enough. Take a listen: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a5KQwCsWYgI
Forgiveness is hard. I think you know when you haven’t forgiven someone. You think about that person in a negative way. They occupy way too much space in your mind. You’re in a mental jail. You remember exactly what they did to hurt you and you recall it often. And it doesn’t seem to go away. That’s unforgiveness.
Yet, Jesus’ teachings tells us that forgiveness is the core of the Christian faith. Matthew 11:25 says “And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.” It’s because of God sending Jesus to die as the final sacrifice for the forgiveness of our sins, that we too, can forgive and show grace to others. Colossians 3:13 says “Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.”
When Cowell said those hurtful comments to Mandisa, that hurt Mandisa to the core. Any of us would be hurt by that. And when we are hurt by others, it triggers hurt in our hearts. It’s easy to turn that hurt to bitterness unless we deal with it. And deal with it we must unless we want to hold on to unforgiveness.
This past weekend, my husband served inside a prison. There are many there who will be there for life. There crimes were so vile and heinous to warrant a return to the outside. However, with Jesus, there is no exceptions as to who can receive forgiveness. If those inmates trust in Jesus and receive His forgiveness, they too, are free, even though in prison.
Has it been hard for you to forgive? I pray that you and I will be free to forgive as Jesus has forgiven us. Could we be men and women who don’t seek to revenge, but instead release our desire to be bitter and extend grace to others?
One of my favorites by Mandisa: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b8VoUYtx0kw
Nancy Abbott is the Chaplain of the YMCA of Greater San Antonio.
Nancy Abbott is the Chaplain of the YMCA of Greater San Antonio.
No comments:
Post a Comment