Forgiveness

I am amazed and awed by the forgiveness that Joseph gives to his brothers. After all they sold him, wanted to kill him yet when he sees them again he just forgives them with no negotiation, no having to be pursuaded. The brothers I think are pretty amazed also. I wonder if they forgave themselves?

Do we show forgiveness to others as Joseph did? This has not been my experience. People hold on to anger and hold gudges against someone who wronged them. I've said it before I think forgiveness is one of the hardest things to give. I know I'm not good at it. I also think that along with forgiveness is feelings of resentment toward someone who has wronged you even if it is just perception of being wronged.

Will we ever live like people of God and give forgiveness as he does? Maybe we don't have it in us and that's why we have Jesus. If we remember his sacrifice and the forgiveness he gives us maybe we can show the same to our fellow human beings.