Once Bitten Twice Shy

The idiom "Once Bitten Twice Shy" means when someone has been hurt once, he or she would do everything to avoid getting hurt again by the same person. While most people rarely had that experience because of once bitten twice shy, this attitude is highly contrary to the biblical command to forgive 70 times seven times. It is implicit in the command that we do not banish those who had hurt us far far away so that they could not inflict another pain. Otherwise, how else would we have the chance to offer repeat forgiveness?

Unforgiving attitude is the underlying reason for the practice of one bitten, twice shy. The true measure of a forgiving heart is the willingness to expose ourselves over and over again to the offending party even with the awareness of the possibility of another injury. It is a tough order to follow. But then remember, our redeemer paid a high price for the forgiveness of our sins which we commit over and over again. As we were given so many second chances, let's commit to give others equal measure of second chances beginning from this holy week.