Article July 18, 1988 Issue

Why forgive?

Forgiving is not just desirable, it's inevitable—if we're willing to learn Love's lessons.

Judy Lynne White

Several years ago an experience left me feeling deeply hurt—victim of deceit, betrayal, injustice. I knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that it was wrong to hate or resent another. But I couldn't seem to forgive. I prayed, and I pondered Bible passages and statements from the writings of Mrs. Eddy on the subject of forgiveness. But although God's love was certainly becoming apparent to me in many ways, deep hurt and even anger continued.

About a year later I discovered a large lump in my body. The fear and pain were great, so I called a Christian Science practitioner to pray for me. I worked with the practitioner, gradually gaining a deeper understanding of my real identity as God's pure and perfect spiritual likeness—never victimized, never deprived of His goodness and love, not made up of matter and not subject to claims of medical theory or to pain, but subject only to God's law of harmony.

During this time I was elected Second Reader of my branch Church of Christ, Scientist, and also met my future husband.

Send a comment to the editors

We'd love to hear from you!

Easily submit your testimonies, articles, and poems online.

Submit

Why forgive?

We'd love to hear from you!

Sign up for unlimited access