Forgiveness

     I was reading the verses under forgiveness in Nave's Topical Bible, and am again struck with how God loves mercy, even in the Old Testament.
     "Rejoice not when thine enemy falleth, and let not thine heart be glad when he stumbleth; Say not, I will do so to him as he hath done to me; I will render to the man according to his work." Proverbs 24:17, 29
      "If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he be thirsty, give him water to drink; For thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head, and the Lord shall reward thee." Proverbs 25:21,22
      "Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good." Romans 12:21
      I wondered if doing a good deed for someone who has wronged you might help you to forgive. Overcoming evil with good takes faith.
      Forgiveness is essential to the Christian faith. Yet, sometimes it takes time to actually come to it. God does not seem too worried about this as long as we do come to it. Sometimes it seems easier when you are actually in contact with the person, then other times maybe when the wounds are deepest it takes time and space. God knows our frame, He knows our heart. How comforting that is! We must always remember that this mercy He is requiring from us originates with Him. We can extend mercy to an enemy (someone we would naturally hate), we can forgive through His help and grace.