Is Forgiveness Worth It?

Forgiveness has been on my mind lately. In fact, it was on my mind to write about it and then suddenly last weekend it seemed to be on everyone's mind. I’m African American or Black America, and many people I follow, friends and family also have the same background. So the angry uproar was felt on my timeline as the conviction of Amber Guyger came down for the murder of Botham Jean.

Besides the light sentencing for Ambers misdeeds, the uproar also came because Botham Jean’s brother, Brandt Jean, decided to publicly state his forgiveness to Amber and gave her a hug. As a Christian, it was a beautiful display of forgiveness and what it truly means to forgive in the darkest hour. If you’re not a Christian, I see how crazy it looked. But that’s the glory of God! 

Yes, I agree with Jean’s forgiveness. Yes, I do at the same time see something wrong with our system if someone who committed murder, watched that person die, attempted to cover their tracks and lie only gets 10 years, while someone who does something less threatening and non-violent is given decade upon decades in prison. Yes, it wasn’t completely professional for a judge to then hug Amber and a bailiff fix her hair. There’s a problem, yes, but that is exclusive from forgiveness. Even when you are forgiven, you often have to pay the consequences of your actions, even if it is lightened. 

Then, to pour salt on our open wound, Joshua Brown, a key witness in the case, is murdered. Shot in the mouth. I then saw on my timeline people say his testimony was in vain. He should’ve minded his own business instead of helping. 

But, was it in vain? He was subpoenaed. He flew from California to Texas to give his testimony. It’s tragic but in vain? 

So now, is Joshua browns killer owed the same forgiveness as Amber? They should be forgiven. And they should then also pay the consequences for taking an innocent life. 

Forgiveness has nothing to do with the other person. It has everything to do with you. Judging from all the opinions last weekend, we have issues with forgiveness. Some people have not experienced something as deep as their brother being murdered, yet they have issues with forgiveness. So here’s your chance to learn from Brandt, let it go, don’t take that burden with you another day. Drop it. Because living with that is what’s weighing you down.

In the end, forgiven is who we are. This whole situation didn’t work out as anyone would want, including God, but in that moment of forgiveness, His light shines. Regardless of what the world may feel about it, forgiveness IS power. Where Brandt could have gone down further in discouragement, he was released when he forgave. Where Amber had no hope, she was given a glimpse of God's love to hopefully change all of her ways and perspective of life. 

Maybe not everyone understood but I pray one day we all learn to be forgiving and full of unconditional love, it would avoid entire situations like this from the jump when we operate as God has called us. When you know forgiveness for yourself, it won’t be something you want to hold back from someone else. And if you don’t believe me, ask God to show you!

What’s been your experience with forgiveness and being forgiven?