Indicators of forgiveness...We are no ordinary beings, we are eternal.

I have often heard people say that they have forgiven so and so, only to hear them days later tell a story about the person that is not positive. Or I myself have done this...Oh, I forgive so and so, I just won't forget or I hope a piano comes crashing down on their head.

So what are the signs that you have truly forgiven someone??? Let's take a look at the indicators below.

--Would you plead and beg Heavenly Father in their behalf that they be admitted into His presence?
--Do you have an increased love and compassion for the person who offended? (not saying you have an increased love for the offense but the offender)
--Do you pray for the one who you've forgiven?
--Do you reach out to the one you've forgiven to let them know of your love for them?
--If you were asked to leave a room if you had any unkind feelings toward the person who hurt you, would you need to leave?
--Have you repented for not loving the person who offended you and seeing things from their side or point of view?
--Have you become a tender mercy of love towards the person, extended by our Heavenly Father to let the offender free?

Now let me be the first to say that these are extreme indicators. Not many people can reach this level of forgiveness for some of the offenses that have occurred against us. It is my belief that this is the level of forgiveness the Lord wants us to achieve in forgiveness.  If you think about the Celestial Kingdom, it is going to be made up of all kinds of people who have sinned and repented. Do you think that you will be able to be in that Kingdom harboring hard feelings towards anyone? I dare say no. I think Heavenly Father knows us better and expects and requires more from us.  I love this video by Uchtdorf, where he talks of our divine nature and potentiality. May we reach for the stars even in extending the hand of forgiveness to one of our brothers and sisters. This can change the world by knowing who we are.

Eyring said this..."And so I challenge you to go for the Lord to someone, despite any fear you may have, to extend love and forgiveness. I promise you that as you do, you will feel the love of the Savior for that person and His love for you, and it will not seem to come from a great distance."

And Hunter said...“This year, mend a quarrel. Seek out a forgotten friend. Dismiss suspicion and replace it with trust. Write a letter. Give a soft answer. Encourage youth. Manifest your loyalty in word and deed. Keep a promise. Forgo a grudge. Forgigve an enemy. Apologize. Try to understand. Examine your demands on others. Think first of someone else. Be kind. Be gentle. Laugh a little more. Express your gratitude. Welcome a stranger. Gladden the heart of a child. Take pleasure in the beauty and wonder of the earth. Speak your love and then speak it again.