It may be infinitely worse to refuse to forgive than to murder, because the latter may be an impulse of a moment of heat, whereas the former is a cold and deliberate choice of the heart.
~ George MacDonald

This Sunday we will begin our three week series on forgiveness. During this time we will be asking several questions including; What is forgiveness? Could God forgive me? Do I always have to forgive? We will also explore Jesus' teaching on forgiveness and reflect on times when we have given and received forgiveness.

Forgiveness can be deeply personal. It is also something that we all have experienced. We have all been hurt. We have all hurt someone else. In what is known as The Lord's Prayer Jesus instructs us to pray, "Forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us." If we take these words seriously we will understand forgiveness as a two-way street.

So what do you think of the above quote? Is it shocking to think of the sin of non-forgiveness as being on par or worse than murder? It is to me. Even so, for me, MacDonald's words are truth. Like you (I'm sure) I've had my struggles with forgiveness. Through those struggles I've learned that when I hold on to a hurt and refuse to forgive I hurt not only the person who wronged me, but myself and my relationship with others and with God. What do you think? Have you struggled with forgiveness? How have you experienced forgiveness ~ as a giver or as a receiver?