Saying I'm Sorry

In the well-known "Lord's Prayer," God teaches us to apologize.

"And forgive us our sins,

as we have forgiven those who sin against us."

Matthew 6:12 (NLT)

Genuinely saying you're sorry to someone you've hurt shows that you care about his/her feelings and value your relationship. We are all human, and sometimes we say or do hurtful things to others, especially those we are close to. Apologizing is the first step in making amends and releasing the guilt we feel inside.

However, some people will never apologize. The words, "I'm sorry," have never been spoken from their lips, and never will. Why is that? I have personally known people in my life who were like that, so I have pondered this question for some time.

I believe that people who are unable to apologize have a very fragile sense of self. These people cannot acknowledge or admit they were wrong because they feel it would destroy the little bit of positive self-image they have left. Instead, they justify their hurtful words or actions within themselves, or erase their mistakes from memory to ease their guilt, instead of facing their inadequacies or failings by apologizing. In reality, however, the opposite occurs: their close, intimate relationships will ultimately fail, leaving them with an even lower self-image.

Selfishness and pride leads to the inability to apologize to someone we have hurt. Conversely, humbleness in spirit creates a spirit within ourselves that allows us to easily apologize to others. People have increased respect and love for a person who is able to apologize with sincerity, and apologizing creates a stronger bond in relationships. This is why God commands us to be humble, and why He blesses us when we are.

"Clothe yourselves, all of you,

with humility toward one another,

for 'God opposes the proud,

but gives grace to the humble.'"

1 Peter 5:5b (NLT)