Learning How to Apologize

We all make mistakes and hurt people unintentionally at times. We will usually apologize for the poor choice to the individual we hurt and try to move forward. Unfortunately there will be times that people will choose not to accept our apology.

Gary Chapman and Jennifer Thomas have written a book together titled, The Five Languages of Apology. They discuss in their book that different individuals need to hear different things in their apology before they are able to accept the apology. The review five different aspects of an apology:

• Express regret
• Accept responsibility
• Make restitution
• Genuinely repent
• Request forgiveness

Depending on the person and the extent of the violation, some people will want a combination of these five areas in their apology. Learning how to give an apology to the people that you love can open the door to forgiveness and eventually to reconciliation.

I'll write again next week.

Gina