Wear an Air of Compassion

“But you have mercy on all, because you can do all things; 
and you overlook people’s sins that they may repent.” 
Wisdom 11:22

It just occurred to me this morning, in reading this passage from Wisdom, that we would have no reason to repent for any wrongdoing if God were not merciful and forgiving. God overlooks our sins and offers us forgiveness. In doing so, He provides us with the motivation to repent. If God didn't offer mercy and forgiveness first, we would have no reason to repent. Why repent if there is no forgiveness? 

Yet this never seems to occur to us when we have been hurt by someone. We often wait for the offender to come and beg for forgiveness without realizing that the offender has no reason to repent if he or she knows we aren't very good at being merciful and forgiving. The more we are known for being compassionate and empathetic, the more our perpetrators will be motivated to come forward and seek reconciliation with us.

Remember this: The sooner we are willing to be forgiving, the sooner we will be reconciled and everyone involved will suffer less instead of suffering more. But the longer we withhold forgiveness, the longer we all suffer— alone.

Wear an air of compassion about you so that you are approachable. Reconciliation will come more easily to you and your soul will shine!

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