I read through some posts on social media, and I found one that said the person struggled with forgiveness. I decided to reply. I didn’t tell him that I could help. Instead, I said that everyone comes to forgiveness on their own, but that I would like to share my experience. I also didn’t want to ram religion down his throat. So, I shared my story.
One day I was driving, and I changed lanes to the left. A minute later a changed lanes back to the right. When I looked behind me there was an irate woman in the SUV behind me. She had been trying to pass me. When I changed lanes, it was at the same time she changed lanes to pass me. Then when I changed lanes the second time, she just happened to change lanes in a second attempt to pass me. The timing worked out perfectly or imperfectly depending on your perspective. I realized that day that many times people don’t realize what they are doing when they anger others or when they hurt them. Most people don’t go around purposefully trying to be evil. Why should I expend all my energy with negative emotions toward someone who doesn’t care about me or my life? Why not just forgive them realizing that if I had accidentally offended them, I would hope they could forgive me?
The most important part of the experience was turning the mirror on myself. I probably hurt and anger people without realizing it all the time. Instead of worrying about forgiving others, I should be more mindful of my own actions and worry more about being forgiven.
My faith saved me. May God’s peace reside in all of our hearts.
