A prayer I have learned to pray is....God make me like rubber so that everything painful bounces off of me. It has greatly helped, because by nature I am very sensitive and do not want to live my life making a mountain out of a mole hill.
I agree "if he repents" - - but, sometimes just saying "I'm sorry" if not said with sincerity is hollow.
But, despite what I posted, there are times when forgiveness shouldn't depend on an apology, sincere or otherwise. I think forgiving usually benefits the forgiver more than the offender. Holding a grudge only hurts the grudge-holder.
(This, of course, doesn't apply to God. Apparently. It seems that he does "hold a grudge", until there is repentance, a baptism with the right words said, and tongues. At least, some think that. I guess.)
__________________
Hebrews 13:23 Know ye that our brother Timothy is set at liberty
What if someone does not believe they were wrong but they are sorry for the fact the other person feels offended and they want to try to make things better? They can't actually just say "Hey I know I was wrong" and not be a liar.
How about this:
I was wrong for stating my opinion in a way that has upset you. Your friendship is important to me, and I don't want our differences of opinion to come between us. In the future, I'll try to voice my opinions in a more kind and gentle way! Will you forgive me?
I was wrong for stating my opinion in a way that has upset you. Your friendship is important to me, and I don't want our differences of opinion to come between us. In the future, I'll try to voice my opinions in a more kind and gentle way! Will you forgive me?
Sounds like you've had a lot of practice with apologies!
I was wrong for stating my opinion in a way that has upset you. Your friendship is important to me, and I don't want our differences of opinion to come between us. In the future, I'll try to voice my opinions in a more kind and gentle way! Will you forgive me?
Sounds like you've had a lot of practice with apologies!
Mrs. Pianoman and I took a marriage course years ago that was eye opening.
As part of a homework assignment, we had to write down things that we each have done or said to each other since we've been married that has caused friction.
We did NOT write down things that the other person said or did, but had to write down what we personally did or said that we KNOW made the spouse upset or angry.
We each had to take ownership and apologize for each event by saying that we were wrong!
It was very powerful, and I must say that our marriage has been great ever since!
Have you ever had someone tell you "I'm sorry" that wasn't? Have you ever had someone say those two words, only to keep doing the very same horrible thing they said they were sorry for?
Sometimes "I'm sorry" just means "forgive me?"
It doesn't really mean that they feel bad for what they did as much as they feel bad they got caught doing wrong.
To me "I'm sorry" should be accompanied by some sort of action greater than just an apology.
The verbal apology should be matched by future acts of contrition.
I don't think any of us believe that repentance only involves words.
Another thing that bugs me is when people hurt other people really, really bad and then make up some line about how they were "just joking."
"Just joking" is cover for "I don't care that I hurt you, and didn't even for a minute consider the implications of my actions and words."
Is it too much to ask that when an apology is made, people should really mean it?
Otherwise just shut up and move on. Your words are meaningless.
Linear Mode
