And we know that God causes everything to work together[a] for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.  
Romans 8:28 (NLT)

We know what real love is because Jesus gave up his life for us. So we also ought to give up our lives for our brothers and sisters. 
1 John 3:16 (NLT)

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When my first marriage ended, I was heartbroken, confused, and lonelier than I’d ever been. I didn’t think I could feel any sadder, until my ex-husband re-married, surrounded by many mutual friends, in a not lonely, beautiful ceremony. The injustice of it all. When I couldn’t seem to move forward, I met an amazing counselor and started a three-month process that wasn’t what I expected at all. 

I expected to sit across from my counselor and commiserate—talk about all the things my ex-husband did to land me in his office. Instead, my counselor asked me, “Have you thought about forgiveness?” Over the next three months, I learned I couldn’t control anything except how I responded, that I wasn’t blameless, and that the love I felt I’d lost could be re-purposed into forgiving both my ex-husband and myself with or without an apology. It was HARD.

Some wrongs won’t be righted in our lifetime, maybe never. I believe there has to be love, even when there isn’t justice. And that even the most right thought or idea means nothing if it isn’t shared and lived out in love. Truth won’t ring with clarity if it’s wrapped in anger or hate. 

One of my favorite verses in the Bible is 1 John 3:16 (NLT), “We know what real love is because Jesus gave up his life for us. So we also ought to give up our lives for our brothers and sisters.” When I read this during those months I was working towards forgiveness, I realized that for me, forgiveness might mean just love, it might never include justice.

Next Steps

• We’re all fighting for justice in various areas of the world and in our lives, and we should persevere in that—but where can you inject love and compassion into the fight?
• We were given the ultimate forgiveness when Jesus gave His life for us. When I’m struggling the most with injustices and forgiveness, the song “Gratitude” helps me focus on the One who shows me how to love first.