The truth that sets us free to forgive

I have been able to forgive many things during my life, some of them seemingly unforgivable. In one instance, though, forgiveness was especially hard. 

For some time, an individual’s presence in my life had brought to our family hatred and division instead of love and unity, and lies and backstabbing instead of truth and respect. Even a dear friend of many years turned against me because of the lies that had been told. The dark threads of this subtle, undermining evil seemed to run through every aspect of my life.

As a result, I found it very difficult to put into practice Jesus’ counsel “Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you” (Matthew 5:44). Honestly, I just wanted this troublesome person out of my life and my thoughts.