Love Forgets
I was in a couples’ meeting not too long ago where the following question was asked; ‘what will you do if your spouse forgets your birthday?’ …… My response was; ‘It’s complicated!!?
Let me quickly say that, that is not the kind of ‘forgetting’ this write-up is about? . Staying committed to celebrating one another, especially our loved ones, is one of the ways we express our love for them.
I hear people sometimes say….”I forgive you, but I cannot forget”. Well, I personally used to think that it is difficult to easily get rid of bad memories (not that I am harbouring any hurt) but to just forget?….hmm..?
First Corinthians 13:5 has been popping up on my mind of late and this verse of scripture says (referring to LOVE)….
“…. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged.“
1 Corinthians 13:5 NLT
“It is not rude; it is not self-seeking, it is not provoked [nor overly sensitive and easily angered]; it does not take into account a wrong endured.“
1 Corinthians 13:5 AMP
If love keeps no record of evil or wrong done, it means love forgets such things.
Here is the thing, if people close to us never hurt us, chances are that they’re not being their best selves while around us. Meaning also that we don’t know such people so well, and so, we are not enjoying the best possible relationship with them?. Trust me, you don’t want total clones all around you….(kind of boring)
There is no doubt that our encounters with people is what helps us understand them better. Becoming offended or hurt is still part of the process (we’re getting to know people). My thought is that First Corinthians 13:5 is not necessarily saying we should not remember past experiences from relationships, if that were the case we would be making same mistakes over and over again and hurting people over and over again of same issues (selah). We will never learn how best to relate with different people and enjoy the best of relationships with them.
I believe that this portion of scripture is saying….. we are not to make a habit of recounting or rehashing negative experiences either to ourselves or to those who hurt us. We should not dwell on them because such practice could stir up impure thoughts, strife and hatred in us.
Love forgets. Love keeps no record of wrongs. Love is not overly-sensitive. Love is not easily hurt.
Brethren, we are of God (Galatians 3:26). God is love (I John 4:8), we should also declare same of ourselves.
Romans 5:5 says God’s love has been lavishly poured in our hearts… .it’s there, within us, let’s draw from it. …
“….. God’s love has been abundantly poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.”
Romans 5:5 AMP
God forgives and forgets….and so should we.
“bearing graciously with one another, and willingly forgiving each other if one has a cause for complaint against another; just as the Lord has forgiven you, so should you forgive.”
Colossians 3:13 AMP
Help us Lord!
