Love Is Saying “I’m Sorry”

For many apologizing can be difficult. People find it challenging to admit to someone that they were wrong and/or that they have hurt them.

Apologizing feels like a sign of weakness, when in truth it shows strength, humility and godly character.

If saying “I’m sorry” is often hard for you, I encourage you to take an honest look at the condition of your heart.

I believe pride is the reason it is difficult to admit that you have done something wrong or that you have offended someone.

It could be pride of feeling powerful.

It could be pride of wanting to be liked.

It could be pride of wanting your own way.

It could be pride of self-righteousness.

Pride is a killer.

The Bible has a lot to say about pride. Pride is a sin and God hates it (Mark 7:21-23).

It can destroy the most important relationships you have- your relationship with God, and your relationships with others.

It is important to be honest with yourself and admit that you struggle with saying, “I’m sorry” to others.  After you accept this truth about yourself, then be willing to look at possible pride issues within.

Come to God and ask Him to reveal your pride to you. Then hand it to Him and ask Him to remove it.

God will help you. He always wants you to think of others first,  put your pride aside, and be willing to apologize when necessary.

Relationships are restored and healed when we can put our own justifications aside and use these two simple words ~”I’m sorry.” (click to tweet)

So, when you have hurt or offended someone, be willing to apologize to them, regardless of your own feelings.

Your apology has to be genuine, which comes from a pure and humble heart.

If you make an apology that is not sincere you will be defensive and it will be apparent that you are not being authentic. Expressing remorse with a repentant attitude will show your honest motive.

Sometimes we have to say sorry to someone even when we don’t think what we did was wrong, but because we hurt their feelings.

For example, there have been times when I am telling my husband a story not realizing that he is in a rush to get to work. What happens at times like this is that he isn’t really listening to the details of my story. This will upset me. My husband didn’t really do anything wrong, but it’s a loving act when he says to me “I’m sorry honey that you feel hurt that I am not really listening to you, but I’m in a rush right now.”

 Here are some other tips to keep in mind when making apologies:

-Practice makes perfect. The more often you practice apologizing the easier it will become.

-Say sorry without a “but.” If you add a “but” in your apology you will take away your responsibility for your actions and words (or lack of). Do not justify how you are right and others are wrong. Don’t be defensive.

-Say what exactly you are sorry for. For example “I’m sorry I yelled at you today. I realize that must of hurt you.”

-Don’t wait too long. If you wait too long to apologize you may make matters worse.

When our hearts are surrendered to God, loving others genuinely becomes a natural outflow of His love within us.

Part of loving others is being able to say “I’m sorry” to them.

It takes humility and courage to apologize. The more you grow in Christ, the easier it will become to say “I’m sorry” to others.

If you are unable to say sorry directly, you may have to write an apology letter.

Whether you apologize face to face or through a letter, a text message, a voice message, make it a habit to say it. Your life and the lives of others will be changed through your apology.

Most importantly, you are reflecting the heart of Jesus when you can think less of yourself, and say with humility and tenderness, “I’m sorry.”

Leave me a comment on which of these points helped you. Also if you have any of your own tips,  I would love to hear them

“The sacrifice you desire is a broken spirit.  You will not reject a broken and repentant heart, O God.” ~Psalm 51:17

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