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Q. Have you had trouble forgiving political opponents?

A. Yes. Every now and then, one of my Sunday school lessons is about forgiveness, and it is a difficult subject for me to teach. Almost invariably, a feeling of hypocrisy gnaws at me as I remember people against whom I still hold a grudge. In some cases, I have said, "I can't forgive that jerk!" But when I forced myself to consider the original altercations more thoroughly, they usually seem somewhat silly—some I couldn't even remember. Teaching these lessons has induced me to correct some of my mistakes.

Give an example.

One of the most important events in my political life was the debate between then-governor Ronald Reagan and me during the 1980 presidential campaign. Afterward we learned that a copy of my personal briefing book for that debate had been stolen beforehand by a Reagan supporter who worked for me in the White House. A noted columnist and author had used the purloined briefing book to help prepare my opponent for the debate. My positions on all the important issues, my analyses of Reagan's positions, my assessment of his vulnerabilities, my tactical plans for the debate—all of these were known and used against me by a respected journalist who professed fairness and objectivity.

For years after the event, try as I might, I could not bring myself to forgive him until one day, as I was preparing a Sunday school lesson on this very topic, my own hypocrisy was too much to ignore. I decided to think of some concrete step I could take to break down the barrier of anger.

My family and I have long been avid baseball fans, and I knew that he had written a book on the subject. I bought a copy. After reading it, I wrote the author a note, expressing appreciation for the insights he had given me into some of the intricacies of baseball, and offering reconciliation after our long feud. He responded in good humor.

—Jimmy Carter, the 39th president of the United States, remains active in peace-making efforts.

Credits: Adapted from—Saturday: Living Faith (Random House, 1996) & Sources of Strength (Random House, 1997)

Copyright © 2000 by the author or Christianity Today International/Men of Integrity. For reprint information call 630-260-6200 or e-mail mail@menofintegrity.net.
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