The power behind many negative emotions is unforgiveness.
When we harbor anger toward someone, they retain power over us. When we forgive
them, we put them in God’s capable hands to deal with as He sees fit (Romans
12:19; Deuteronomy 32:35). When we go one step further and do something kind
and good for the one who harmed us, God uses it to convict their conscience,
which often results in a restored relationship (Proverbs 25:22).
It is the cross of Christ, and His example to us through
His behavior on the cross that gives us the power to forgive (Luke
23:34). When we choose not to retaliate (Luke
6:27-34), we make a conscious choice to set that person free from
their debt to us. Make a list of each person you cannot forgive and ask the
Lord to help you to forgive them one by one. He will bring them to mind and
teach you to refocus your thoughts and attitude about each one.
As you pray for them (Matthew 5:44), God
changes your heart about the person. He may even give you compassion for the
person, when you discover the reasons the person acted toward you as they did.
It does not excuse the pain they inflicted on you, but it allows God to convict
them and to release you from the effects of bitterness on your life (Hebrews
12:15). Freedom floods your soul and gives you joy that transcends
all human reasoning (1 Peter 1:8).
Bitterness prevents us from growing into spiritual
maturity; yet forgiveness paves the way for spiritual growth and development.
When we realize that someone else has unforgiveness toward us for some word or
event that involved us, God calls us to go to them and apologize for our
behavior (Matthew 5:23-26). Even if they choose not to
forgive us, we have cleared our conscience before the Lord. Now, they are in
God’s hands and He will bless us for our efforts to obey His Word (Matthew
6:12).
Prayer:
Father God, thank You for accepting us into the circle of
Your beloved family (Ephesians 1:6). Help us to accept those who
hurt us, not necessarily as friends, but as people we forgive. You do not
release them from the guilt of their behavior until they repent, but we free
our self from the bondage, which unforgiveness brings into our life. We readily
forgive everyone who used us, abused us, hated us or annoyed us. Help us to
love everyone unconditionally and please bring us the freedom that You provide
through forgiveness.
Thought for the Day:
Forgive easily and reap the blessings of God. 