The Gift of Forgiveness
Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you. Ephesians 4:32
“I’ll never forgive her for saying that about me!”
“I won’t forgive him for cheating on me!”
“I can’t let go of what I said and did.”
“Being around her after she embarrassed me last New Year’s Eve still upsets me.”
“Maybe someday they’ll forget what I accidentally did.”
Some of us need to forgive our family members and friends and some of us desperately need forgiveness. But why can’t we do as our heavenly Father does for us? The ability to forgive isn’t a cheap gift; it comes at a very costly price. Besides, you are not doing it for the other person, it is for you. If you want to feel peace, joy and good health this holiday season (and after), practice saying, “I forgive you.”
What is the unhealthiest thing you can eat? Multiply it by fifty times and sit down and eat it all. How do you feel? Well, that is how unforgiveness can make affect you—dragged out, anti-social, nauseous, miserable and more. Why would you ever do that kind of damage to your body? Do you know that it is good for your soul to say those words? There is one stipulation—you have to mean it and that is the hardest part.
Forgiving someone does not mean you have to go on vacation with them. It simply means that you refuse to hold a grudge. You are willing to look at them from a different perspective by following Jesus’ example as He hung on the cross.
Perhaps the hardest one to forgive is yourself. A million times you have probably said, “I wish I’d never done that or made those comments. I hate what I did!” It’s not but a tiny side step into self-hatred and that has never been part of God’s plan for anyone’s life. Talk to Jesus about it; He knows all about forgiveness.
This season, give the gift of forgiveness. It won’t cost you a cent but the return on your investment will be immeasurable.
Father God, please teach me to forgive those who have hurt me in any way. I am in need of forgiveness daily and I come to You for restoration. My soul rejoices when You say, “Precious child, I forgive you.” AMEN.