Is it Too Late to Say. . .I am Sorry?
"Is it too late to say, 'I'm sorry now?" Justin Bieber's voice came wafting through my window.
I don't know if it's my neighbors choice of songs, but I'm writing about apologies today.
"I was wrong. It's my fault. I am sorry." These were-and still are to some extent?hard words for me to say.
I remember one conversation I had with my hubby, Joey, after a fight. I knew I was wrong but those words got stuck in my throat, and never went out.
Joey: Aren't you supposed to say something?
Marie: (Silence)
Joey: ???
Marie: (Silence)
Joey: I noticed that you have a hard time apologizing. Why is it that when I'm wrong, I say sorry, but when you are wrong, you take a long time?
Marie: (blurts out defensively) Well, YOU have more practice! It's YOU who's wrong MOST of the time when we fight! That's why YOU have more practice saying sorry!!!
Oh, what a wicked woman I could be! All I had to say were three little words-I am sorry-yet I used up so much more of my energy in giving out excuses and defending my arguments!
Sometimes it is easier for us to apologize to people at work, but harder to apologize to those closest to us. Sometimes, it's vice versa. Are you guilty of "selective sorry's" as well?
We think: Apologizing diminishes us. Makes us smaller. Exalts the other person.
The more I read the Bible, the more I'm learning how humility makes us much better human beings, and vastly improves our relationships with others.
Our willingness to apologize shows we have human decency and dignity, and ultimately exalts God. On the other hand, our refusal to apologize when we are wrong reveals our immaturity and ignorance, our insecurity and pride.
*Secret #1: It's better to be humble than be a fool.
Everyone makes mistakes. It's how we respond that reveals our character: Fools give excuses. Humble ones give apologies.
Fools make fun of guilt, but the godly acknowledge it and seek reconciliation. Proverbs 14:9
When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I gave up childish ways. 1 Corinthians 13: 11
*Secret #2: Swallow your pride. It's good for you and non-fattening.
Many of us are so concerned about diet-the food we eat, the supplements we take. Well, here's a supplement we all need to swallow: PRIDE. Don't display it for all to see; SWALLOW it.
When the apostle Paul swallowed his pride and admitted his errors, God used him in many powerful ways to impact peoples lives. When the rebellious prodigal son apologized, he was received with open arms by his Father. When the criminal on the cross admitted his guilt, Jesus gave him the gift of forgiveness and eternal life!
Humility is more powerful a weapon than we realize!
James 5:16 says, Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results.
Secret #3: Remember the number of times God has forgiven you. Live for the approval of God, not the response of man.
1 John 1:9 says, If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
When I realize the humility of Jesus-his willingness to be embarrassed for my sake, to die an inhuman, disgraceful death to take away my sins-I am ashamed of my pride.
Why not apologize, instead? Why not say 'I am sorry', and mean it? We are all sinners. But only the repentant can admit that.
Dear Jesus,
Thank You for Your example of humility. If You, who knew no sin, could be so humble, what is our excuse?
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