As I sit and have my daily cup of coffee with Jesus, I was reflecting on the power and gift of FORGIVENESS. Forgiveness is very difficult for me, but having a relationship with Jesus does not make it an OPTION! Often it is easier to accept God‘s forgiveness, or the forgiveness of others than it is to forgive ourselves. But forgiveness sets us free!
I know neighbors, families, or even congregations that have fallen apart because of the lack of forgiveness. Good friendships have ended, marriages and businesses have collapsed, often due to a lack of forgiveness. People believe that forgiveness means you forget. Not true! I believe FORGIVENESS means you move forward. In Colossians 3:13, the Bible says, “Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgives you!”
When we “pay back” people by withholding forgiveness, we are really doing damage to ourselves. But when we forgive, “We set the prisoner free and then we discover that the prisoner was US,” from the book, “THE ART OF FORGIVING,” by Lewis Smedes.
Today is a great day for us to set ourselves free, to FORGIVE. Think of someone who has wronged you. Ask God for the grace to let it go and then breathe in HIS love and HIS forgiveness! Jesus says that we must forgive seventy times seven…. Yuck, I need to go now. I have a lot of forgiving to do!
It is going to be a wonderful day. Blessings!