Forgive

“The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness” (Lamentations 3:22-23, ESV)

 What does it mean to forgive someone? For some of us it means letting go of the plot to get revenge or to humiliate them. For others it may mean x-ing them out of your life, ignoring caller ID numbers or just simply pretending the event never happened. Don’t act like you’ve never felt these things!

When someone says or does something, our first instinct is usually embarrassment or disbelief which then turns to anger. How we deal with our anger makes it right or wrong. Forgiving does not mean forgetting. They are two different critters altogether. We become akin to elephants at that moment; they never forget. We avoid the possibility of repeat performances unless they are close friends or family.

Even our beloved pets can tear up important things or display aggravating behaviors and we forgive them quickly because they don’t understand what they have done. Why is it so difficult to show mercy to people? Somehow, we assume that they have a higher functioning level and should know better. But is that wisdom?

I have this habit of sinning (and so do you) but our loving Father also has this loving habit of forgiving us. Let’s face it, we are simply defiant at times but His love never fails; it never gives up and it never runs out. Aren’t you glad?

So, you are probably thinking, ‘what about the person who wronged me?’ To put it bluntly, it’s none of your business. When you stop being defiant and let go of the situation, there is a moment when you feel like a KETO poster child when you’ve lost 50 lbs. in 10 days. Mercy is a great diet!

Forgiveness is not for the other person; it is for your benefit. Our heavenly Father is grieved with our grudges, sins and lack of compassion. It was never His plan for our lives to be riddled with bitter feuds, hostility or acts of aggression. In the greatest prayer ever written He taught us to say, “and forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us.”

When we forgive someone, it just won’t matter anymore. Love takes over and the heavens rejoice.

One Thing Remains with Jesus Culture

Father God, show me how to be more like You. AMEN.