Article September 21, 2009 Issue

FORGIVENESS—A GENTLE DEMAND

When tragedy touches his family,
this writer prays for the ability to forgive.

BY KEITH WOMMACK

When you've been wronged or made to feel like a victim, there's often an understandable yearning to see things settled clearly and justly. But however helpful that feeling of closure can be, I've found that lasting freedom comes when forged with the forgiveness that heals. Forgiving is not always easy, comfortable. In fact, sometimes it can feel impossible, even unnecessary. Yet, forgiving is a spiritual necessity—powerful enough for Jesus to have infused much of his healing ministry with the concept.

Several years ago, my aunt was murdered by her daughter's boyfriend. When I first heard the news, shock, deep sadness, and confusion gripped me. However, instead of having to wait for closure (the murderer wasn't sent to prison until several years later), I found healing through prayer.

Dealing with the injustice was rough going at first. The senseless loss of my aunt was so hard to understand. I tried to reconcile the fact that her life had been cruelly taken from her. Yet, I discovered I needed to do more.