Make Amends and Move On

Be wise—forgive, make amends, reconcile, repair, and most importantly, move on.

March’s Awakening, Day 2

It’s very easy to forgive others their mistakes, it takes more guts and gumption to forgive them for having witnessed your own.

 —Jessamyn West 

A wise man will make haste to forgive, because he knows the true value of time, and will not suffer it to pass away in unnecessary pain.

 —Samuel Johnson 

By forgiving the hurt and disappointments of your past, you release it from holding onto you in your future, and hindering your progress.

 —Eric Watterson, “I Forgive You”

Many people are reluctant to show mercy because they don’t understand the difference between trust and forgiveness. Forgiveness is letting go of the past. Trust has to do with future behavior.

 —Rick Warren

“Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift. Matthew 5:23–24 NIV    

“Two people owed money to a certain moneylender. One owed him five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. Neither of them had the money to pay him back, so he forgave the debts of both. Now which of them will love him more?” Simon replied, “I suppose the one who had the bigger debt forgiven.” “You have judged correctly,” Jesus said. Then he turned toward the woman and said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I came into your house. You did not give me any water for my feet, but she wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. You did not give me a kiss, but this woman, from the time I entered, has not stopped kissing my feet. You did not put oil on my head, but she has poured perfume on my feet. Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven—as her great love has shown. But whoever has been forgiven little loves little.” Luke 7:41–47 NIV 

            The more you have been forgiven, the greater should be your gratitude to God and compassion and forgiveness towards others. Life is short and stressful enough as it is, so make every effort to make each moment count and do not live a life full of regret. Unquestionably forgive, make amends where a rift has entered, make restitution to those you’ve wronged, release all bitterness and ill will, and be as compassionate and merciful to others as God has been to you. Reconcile all your relationships and put them in good standing. It serves you no useful purpose to have severed or damaged relationships if they are potentially positive. Still use good judgment, with appropriate boundaries, and be wise from your knowledge of the past but do not let the past control you or overly sway good judgment. We all need second chances, but we also cannot be naïve nor allow ourselves to be taken unfair advantage of. Life experience, godly wisdom, and maturity go a long way in determining the proper course of action. Just always remember that forgiveness is as much for you as it is for them.