Many of us find it difficult to forgive. We have been wronged in some way and we just can’t get past it. It lingers on our minds, and the mere mention of the wrongdoer’s name turns our stomachs. We have been wounded so deeply that we profess we will never forget it.
Guess what? No one is telling us to forget it. In certain situations, I don’t even think that’s even possible. But we are called to forgive and allow the God of Justice to be our vindication. This is not a new message. We’ve heard it hundreds of times from every pulpit and in every denomination and spiritual congregation on the planet, but how do we do it?
Well, we put on our big boy and big girl pants and we JUST DO IT. You don’t have to wear Nike to just do it. You simply choose to do it. Our lives are made up by the choices we make. When we choose to hold on to un-forgiveness, we give the person we’re harboring feelings about power over our lives. In turn, that un-forgiveness dictates how we feel, what we think, where we go (because we don’t want to be around that person), and even our health. Yes, our health. Un-forgiveness is toxic. It creates stress that compromises our immune system and makes us physically sick. That’s certainly not what God wants for us, which is why He made such a big deal about commanding forgiveness. He is so serious about this forgiveness thing that His own forgiving our transgressions is contingent on us forgiving others. “Forgive us our trespasses AS we forgive those who trespass against us.” (Matthew 6:12)
Knowing how much I mess up daily, I sure want (and need) God to forgive me. What about you? If you’re like me, do yourself a favor and forgive; even though it’s hard. Let’s be honest, anything worth having is hard! But the prize on the other side of forgiveness is peace. The beauty is, we don’t have to do it in our own power and strength alone; we can ask God to help us. And since He’s a huge proponent of us forgiving one another… He will! I hope you can take this word to heart today and meditate on what it can do in your life. From the bottom of my heart, I believe you will find delight in forgiveness. There’s no better time than now.
Peace and Blessings,
Gail