I’m sorry!
Reading: Numbers 12:1-16
“Please, my lord, I ask you not to hold against us the sin
we have so foolishly committed”
(Num 12:11)
Who should have said these words? Miriam! Instead Aaron is pleading for forgiveness. Many times we too are stubborn even though we suffer punishment for what we had done against someone. Why is it so hard to pronounce the words, “I’m sorry?” We should not allow our ego to stand in the way of apologizing. We all err; none of us is perfect. But we should rectify our mistakes or sins by humbling ourselves. When we step on a stranger’s toe it is easy to say, “I am sorry,” and apologize profusely. But when we deliberately hurt someone, guilt and shame shut our mouth.
Admitting our fault and accepting the harm we have caused means we accept we have done something wrong. But genuine apology means just that. When we refuse to apologise, we feel superior and in some way good about ourselves. “What I did was right,” is our attitude. We justify our behaviour by giving excuses.
The very fact that we have hurt someone — parent, child, husband or anyone else — requires an apology irrespective of who is right and who is wrong. That’s the way to iron out our differences and cement our relationship. Especially within the family apology can be a miracle worker. If we humble ourselves for the sake of peace and tender an honest apology, we will witness miracles.
It should not be a name’s sake apology. If possible we should meet the hurt one in person, look into her eyes and spell out the magic words, “I am sorry.” Do not follow it up with, “But you ...” Continue to express your feeling of sorrow, holding her hands, with a request for forgiveness. A sincere apology salvages a strained relationship. If Miriam had apologised, she might have escaped the leprosy.
Whether the hurt one forgives or not is another matter. You will experience a liberation and deep peace. You have obeyed God and the Bible. God will forgive your sins and you can boldly teach forgiveness to others. The King will be pleased that you reciprocated His kindness. You have grown one foot spiritually over and above your spiritual dwarf friends.
Dr. Lilian Stanley
13 Church Colony
Vellore 632006, India
+91 9843511943
lilianstanley@gmail.com
Blessing Youth Mission
13 Church Colony
Vellore 632006, India
+91-416-2242943, +91-416-2248943
hq@bymonline.org
www.bymonline.org
Click here for more options
To buy books written by Dr. Lilian Stanley, kindly reach to us in the follwing address
Blessing Literature Centre
21/11 West Coovam River Road,
Chintadripet,
Chennai 600 002, India.
+91-44-28450411, 8806270699
blc@bymonline.org
I’m sorry!
Reading: Numbers 12:1-16
“Please, my lord, I ask you not to hold against us the sin
we have so foolishly committed”
(Num 12:11)
Who should have said these words? Miriam! Instead Aaron is pleading for forgiveness. Many times we too are stubborn even though we suffer punishment for what we had done against someone. Why is it so hard to pronounce the words, “I’m sorry?” We should not allow our ego to stand in the way of apologizing. We all err; none of us is perfect. But we should rectify our mistakes or sins by humbling ourselves. When we step on a stranger’s toe it is easy to say, “I am sorry,” and apologize profusely. But when we deliberately hurt someone, guilt and shame shut our mouth.
Admitting our fault and accepting the harm we have caused means we accept we have done something wrong. But genuine apology means just that. When we refuse to apologise, we feel superior and in some way good about ourselves. “What I did was right,” is our attitude. We justify our behaviour by giving excuses.
The very fact that we have hurt someone — parent, child, husband or anyone else — requires an apology irrespective of who is right and who is wrong. That’s the way to iron out our differences and cement our relationship. Especially within the family apology can be a miracle worker. If we humble ourselves for the sake of peace and tender an honest apology, we will witness miracles.
It should not be a name’s sake apology. If possible we should meet the hurt one in person, look into her eyes and spell out the magic words, “I am sorry.” Do not follow it up with, “But you ...” Continue to express your feeling of sorrow, holding her hands, with a request for forgiveness. A sincere apology salvages a strained relationship. If Miriam had apologised, she might have escaped the leprosy.
Whether the hurt one forgives or not is another matter. You will experience a liberation and deep peace. You have obeyed God and the Bible. God will forgive your sins and you can boldly teach forgiveness to others. The King will be pleased that you reciprocated His kindness. You have grown one foot spiritually over and above your spiritual dwarf friends.
Dr. Lilian Stanley
13 Church Colony
Vellore 632006, India
+91 9843511943
lilianstanley@gmail.com
Blessing Youth Mission
13 Church Colony
Vellore 632006, India
+91-416-2242943, +91-416-2248943
hq@bymonline.org
www.bymonline.org
Click here for more options
To buy books written by Dr. Lilian Stanley, kindly reach to us in the follwing address
Blessing Literature Centre
21/11 West Coovam River Road,
Chintadripet,
Chennai 600 002, India.
+91-44-28450411, Mob:8806270699
blc@bymonline.org
