Counting The CostSample

FORGIVENESS:

This may come as a surprise to you, but we do not live in a perfect world, and this world is made up of imperfect people. People make bad choices and these choices affect others. Have you had someone in your life say or do something that is hurtful to you? Maybe it was intentional or maybe it wasn’t. Have you ever been bullied? Has a friend ever said something unkind “behind your back?” How about a stranger… has a stranger ever said something negative to you that just stuck with you? These things happen to all of us. When people say or do things that are unkind, we can become angry, resentful, frustrated and even sad, which can lead to unforgiveness. 

The thing about unforgiveness is that it messes with your life, but the other person, the one who hurt you, continues with their life blissfully unaware of damage they have caused. It’s not fair but it’s true. When we refuse to forgive someone, it can cause anger and bitterness to sink deep into our life. This root of unforgiveness will dig deeper and deeper into our soul, causing even more despair. 

In times like this, God calls us to a place of forgiveness, which can seem hard if not impossible. How could we possibly forgive someone who has done something so wrong? But God is right. We must find forgiveness, or these negative emotions can become destructive to our lives. After all, God has forgiven us for so much. He has set an example of forgiveness for us to follow. He has greater things for our lives than for us to be stuck in a hole of unforgiveness!

Do not let the words and actions of others get you down. God has created you, and what He says about you is much more important than what anyone else says about you! 

Action Point:

Believe His words! Do not be discouraged when bad things come your way! God is bigger and stronger than any bully who comes at you! Talk with a godly friend about the hurtful situation and read Bible verses that tell you how God sees you. Pray and ask God to help you forgive and to see the people who have hurt you the way He sees them…with love, compassion and forgiveness! 

Question(s):

Are there people in your life who have hurt you whom you need to forgive? Who?

How has your unforgiveness towards them affected you?

How can forgiveness be beneficial to your life?