I was speaking with a parent the other day who told me how she settles the arguments in her house. When her children do something bad to each other, she makes them hug and apologize. She told me that her kids do it with clenched teeth...and the hug only lasts less about two seconds... but they do it. She wonders how much they mean it... but feels good that at least they go through the motions.
This isn’t what God intended apology and forgiveness to look like. In James 5 verse 16a it says this: “Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed.”
How often do we do something to someone, mutter that we’re sorry, but really don’t mean it? We give them a quick hug or a pat on the back and pretend everything is better. This isn’t what God had in mind. If we hurt someone in some way, we need to make it right. Today’s verse says to confess what we’ve done wrong and pray for the person we’ve hurt. When we’re praying for them... God works in us... and we both heal. Do they have to forgive us? No... but when we ask for it, we’ve done our part in obedience to scripture.
If there’s someone in your life today that needs your heart-felt apology... be bold enough to make it right. Confess your wrongdoing to God, admit it to the person that’s been hurt... and once you’ve asked for forgiveness... pray for them.
Don’t let the enemy steal future happiness because of past hurt. It may not be the easiest conversation you’ve ever had... but you’ll never regret the effort in making things right.
