While I know Justin Bieber isn’t the only person who has trouble with apologies, why is it that so many people are uncomfortable with saying sorry?

I myself have been in multiple situation in which giving a meaningful apology was the only gesture towards forgiveness, but in many of those situations I choked and ran from saying two words.

In reality, what will we really lose from simply saying “I’m sorry?”. In almost all situations, apologizing will always lead to smoother paths and forgiving relationships. Somehow the glaring positives of apologizing are just not enough to make up for the obscure sense of shame and loss of pride we sometimes feel.

For most, saying sorry means allowing yourself to be blamed for something, making us feel like bad people, capable of doing bad things. This idea then leads us to shame and guilt, two feelings that humans run from every day. But looking at the bigger picture of life and words we say everyday, how truly impossible is it to say “I’m sorry” once to someone, and mean it.

Yet, for some people, it is impossible. And for those specific people, I would wish for them that they see through the intimidation of apologizing towards their self-pride. For a moment I wish that people struggling with saying sorry would consider the impact of apologizing versus the cowardly act of not apologizing.

Apologizing rewrites stories. Suddenly it becomes “At least he/she said sorry, it was the least they could do” instead of “They didn’t even have the decency to say sorry”.

And if you think that your apology means nothing, maybe you need to reevaluate the way in which you apologize to people.

I have learned that a true ability to apologize reflects genuine maturity.

“So, what if you are offering your gift at the altar and remember that someone has something against you? Leave your gift there and go make peace with that person. Then come and offer your gift.” Matthew 5:23-24