Biblical Answer

The Value of Forgiveness in the Face of Business Failure

When we experience business failure, it can be tempting to harbor resentment and bitterness towards those who we perceive as having contributed to our downfall. However, forgiveness is a crucial step in the healing process and in moving forward. Forgiveness does not change the circumstances that led to the failure, but it can set aside the punishment and consequences that often accompany it. While character is a matter of behavior, forgiveness can help us to recover honor and move beyond the pain of failure.

Forgiveness is an act of self-defense, a "tourniquet that stops the fatal bleeding of resentment." It requires practice to perfect, but it is a divine miracle of grace that can bring healing and restoration. The cost of forgiveness to God was the Cross of Christ, and it is only through this sacrifice that we can truly forgive others. Forgiveness is not just about letting go of the past, but also about seeking to reconcile with others and point them to the God who makes all reconciliation possible. As we seek forgiveness from God and others, we must do so with humility and urgency, and be willing to pass on the gift of forgiveness to others.

In the face of business failure, forgiveness is essential for moving forward and pursuing the glory of God. It is a process, not an event, and requires us to continually relinquish our bitterness and accept the expense incurred by another's sin. True forgiveness is not about preserving our defense or attacking others, but about seeking to reconcile and restore relationships. As we walk the painful way of the cross, we are called to true forgiveness, accepting the expense incurred by another's sin and seeking to point others to the God who makes all reconciliation possible. By doing so, we can recover honor, move beyond the pain of failure, and pursue the glory of God.