Trusting in The Lord and Learning to Forgive

Come unto Him by trusting in him and learning to forgive. He will give you rest.

This past week has been an interesting one for me. I feel as though every where I look or turn "forgiveness" is starting me right in the face. I felt as if I was trying to be told something; this is why I have chosen to talk about forgiveness today. After much prayer and thought I have decided that this is the topic I should address this lovely Sunday afternoon. Let me start with an experience I had just over a week ago. There is this person in my life who I have purposely tried to avoid for the past few years because I hurt them pretty bad and I was scared to make that mistake again. This person kept trying their hardest to come back into my life somehow, but I kept denying them the opportunity. About 10 days ago I let them in, sort of. I let them start following me on one of my social media accounts. I thought to myself: "what's the harm? They will only see what I'm up too, they don't have to talk to me, and if they do I won't listen to them." I was already following their account, so I thought it was only fair. I noticed it was their birthday and not thinking, I left I comment on their post simply saying Happy Birthday. They commented back, and we ended up having this "conversation" that led to us texting again. The whole time I was really concerned if I was doing the right thing, but at the same time I felt this comfort in my heart and this voice (The Holy Ghost) telling me this is what I needed to be doing. I thought of a scripture in the Book of Mormon* in Alma chapter 36 verse 3 and also verse 27. These verses in the Scriptures talked about trusting in God and that by doing so we will be supported in our trials and afflictions. I know that this is true, so I trusted him and let him lead me to do what he needed me to do. This person and I kept talking over a couple of days and I suddenly felt this urge that I needed to say sorry for what I had done. (Avoiding them) I told myself that this sort of thing needed to wait to be done in person so I wasn't going to do it. Again the urge came from the Holy Ghost that I needed to do it right now. I grabbed my phone and started typing out this long text asking them for forgiveness and telling them that I was going to do this in person as well, but for some reason I needed to ask for forgiveness right now too. I explained why I did what I did and I kept saying sorry, but it didn't feel good enough. After reading the text over and over feeling like it wasn't adequate, I just sent it. I waited nervously for a reply. When I read their reply, tears of joy came to my eyes. I felt so warm inside and I felt so overly blessed and lucky. This person told me they were willing to move forward from the past and be friends again. I suddenly knew that it wasn't going to be easy for me and I was going to have to learn a lot still, but I knew that I was supposed to be in this person's life for some reason unknown to me. Maybe it's not that they need me, maybe I need them, or maybe we need each other. Of this I am unsure, but I am positive we are supposed to be friends again and we are supposed to have this second chance to be in each other's lives. Was it easy? For me it certainly wasn't. Was it worth it? It was worth it all. Forgiveness is not an easy thing to ask for, and sometimes it is not an easy thing to grant forgiveness either. Can we do it? Yes we can. I want you to watch this video about Christ and forgiveness. Pay attention to the first line spoken in the video. (It's near the end) Christ and Forgiveness If Christ was willing to forgive those who killed him as he hung on the cross, how much easier is it for us to forgive someone who has wronged us? I don't know about you, but I think I can learn how to forgive if Christ could do that for me and still be forgiving. I know it's not easy. Asking for forgiveness is really scary and really hard sometimes and we may feel inadequate, like our apology isn't good enough, but maybe just like my friend, they will forgive you because they know you are truly sorry. To those who are unsure if they can forgive someone who wronged them: learn from the Savior. I know that when we are wronged it does hurt, and we don't want to say it's okay. I promise you that if you can learn to forgive you will be so much happier. (If you truly do give them forgiveness.) I am so thankful that my friend knew this and that even though they were hurt by me, they were willing to move forward. My friend not only forgave me, but he gave me another chance like the Savior does for all of us. I feel so fortunate to be blessed with this friend in my life. I encourage you all to become more like the Savior and learn to forgive as he so willing did then on the cross, and does for us everyday. I know it takes time, but it will pay off I promise. I also know that you will happier and so will everyone around you. (Keep in mind that people will still mess up and make mistakes, and we will have to learn to keep forgiving them just as our Savior will forgive us if we are truly sorry.) I know that this is true. I am so thankful that we can forgive others and we can be forgiven. This is one the greatest blessing we have been given. This way we can return to live with our Heavenly Father and our Savior Jesus Christ again. I know the gospel is true.
In the name of Jesus Christ,
Amen

Love,
Samantha

*The Book Of Mormon is the book that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints uses to teach from, hand in hand with the Bible. (We use the King James Version of the Bible). I know that this book is true; that with it hand in hand with the Bible we can learn so much and come back to Christ. These verses from Alma are as follows:
Verse 3: And now, O my son Helaman, behold, thou art in thy youth, and therefore, I beseech of thee that thou wilt hear my words and learn of me; for I do know that whosoever shall put their ^atrust in God shall be supported in their ^btrials, and their troubles, and their afflictions, and shall be ^clifted up at the last day.

Verse 27: And I have been supported under trials and troubles of every kind, yea, and in all manner of afflictions; yea, God has ^adeliveredme from prison, and from bonds, and from death; yea, and I do put my trust in him, and he will still ^bdeliver me.