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Tuesday, February 17, 2009

Love means learning to say "I'm Sorry"

Some of the hardest words for us to say are “I’m sorry”. I really don’t understand how those simple little words can be so big when we are trying to use them in an apology. The fleshly part of our human nature does not like to vocalize the fact that we were actually wrong about something. (take it from one who knows…)

We even see this in young children. I can remember my girls just about refusing to say they were sorry. I have seen Mikaela and Eli refuse to say it. Just last night Ashlie was trying to get Bryton to say he was sorry after he had done something and it was almost comical at how he wouldn’t even open his little lips at all! He would just cut his eyes at her and kinda smile. He is not even 2 years old and he already knows the implication of being sorry.

When we say that we are sorry:

1. We are admitting we were wrong
2. We are realizing we are not perfect
3. We are recognizing that we hurt another person or made a mistake
4. We are verbalizing our humanness
5. We are seeking forgiveness

It is so hard to say, but oh my goodness, it is so freeing when we do. When we learn to admit that we were wrong about something, we break through the bondage of self-righteousness. We allow ourselves to fully experience repentance and forgiveness.

2 Corinthians 7:9 says, “Now I rejoice, not that you were made sorry, but that your sorrow led to repentance. For you were made sorry in a godly manner, that you might suffer loss from us in nothing.”

Hallelujah! God’s Word is so timely. So perfect.

When we know that we have hurt another person or done something that wasn’t right, it is our responsibility to render ourselves humble before God, cleanse ourselves with His Word and seek forgiveness. We need to follow after holiness. We just have to say “I’m sorry”.

Two small words…One big reward… Reconciliation.

Joyfully His,
Beth

9 comments:

~Sandy said...

This is a great reminder. Thank you so much for sharing.
Hugs, Sandy

Yolanda said...

Those words are so hard for many and yet what freedom to say them and honestly...to receive them.

Love ya!

Anonymous said...

Beth...

First let me say thank you for visiting the blog. You are always welcome!

Secondly, interesting that you should post about "I'm sorry" on the heels of my most recent post about the "hallways" of highschool. I've been back in touch with some of my "friends" from highschool via facebook. One of them emailed me this morning regarding my post. In it, her heartfelt apology for being one of the ones who traded me in for a newer model. To say that I was blown away by her gracious response is an understatement.

All of your 5 points so aptly fit the heart of what this precious woman was trying to say.

I am moved to tears to think about how God is moving in my life. Only he could weave his significance into it.

Have a great week.

peace~elaine

Anonymous said...

What a true post. And after recently realized my attitude has been a bit sour (especially toward my hubby) thanks to hormones and a lack of sleep.... I think a phone call is in order! :) Thanks for the great post...

TRUTH SHARER said...

Humbling post and of course with God's perfect timing. I had to do this very thing today - not even from something intentional - but I realized that in my reaction to something with my own adult daughter - I left her feeling disappointed. I'm in the process of saying I'm sorry and making it right. So hard - but sooo necessary -especially with our own children - or family members.

Thanks for the reminder of God's TRUTH.

Looking UPward and Choosing JOY,
Stephanie

Toia said...

I think my hardest time to say "I'm Sorry", is when I need to say it to my husband. This post is very humbling and this is something I need to keep in mind. Thanks for the reminder!!

Stephanie said...

Beth when I read this post it reminded me of when my children were younger and they would do something that required them to have to say they were sorry they would rather cry then to say those 2 words. Thanks for sharing the 5 reasons for saying I'm sorry

Marilyn in Mississippi said...

We all need to be reminded from time to time how important and how healing it is to everyone involved for us to be able to say "I'm sorry" and mean it. Thanks for the reminder!

Also, thank you for visiting my blog today! You were a great encouragement to me!

God bless you!

Marilyn

Unknown said...

Hi Beth! :o) Thanks for posting...and now I'm a follower on here, too! I'll add you in a minute to my blog list - what a great blog! You have such a beautiful family...

You know, this post is so true for each and every one of us. I recently apologized to a friend because I intended to encourage and wound up getting myself into a bit of gossip and griping. I have since been better, but my friend (Mrs. Pink if you read about her on my blog) has not been a Christian very long and I realized what I was doing and thought "what ind of a mentor am I?!" We can all get caught up - but BOY! Was it so hard to say sorry and will you forgive me for not being the Christian I should be...