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DAY SIX - FORGIVING ANOTHER CHRISTIAN
I have a friend, Joanie, who struggled to forgive her ex-daughter-in-law after she divorced Joanie’s son, even though she was a Christian. I love the revelation God gave Joanie one day about forgiving this woman who had hurt her son so badly:
“One day I was reading an article about forgiveness,” said Joanie, “and suddenly I realized I had never taken the time to see her the same way God sees me — as His child. Even though I had made an effort to forgive her, I still carried in my mind the same ugly picture of her from years ago.
“So I felt led to pray for her and her future. She is a new creature in Christ, with no past. Old things have passed away, behold all things have become new in her life, and she is the righteousness of God in Christ. Jesus paid for her with his blood. Her sins and her past are just as wiped out as mine. She has a bright future just like me!
“The Bible tells us to ‘forget those things which are behind’ and I realized that’s not only what I’m supposed to do in my life, but in her life too!
“God never gives up on anyone, so why would I? Jeremiah 29:11 applies to all Christians: “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.” He’s given her a future and hope too.
“I had been sending a birthday gift to my ex-daughter-in-law every year, and even sent Christmas breakfast to her house every year, but my words about her didn't always line up. Now I have a new attitude toward her, and really toward any Christian I’ve struggled with. I wish I had this revelation years ago. But it's a new day!”
It can be a new day for you too. You can apply those same scriptural principles to anyone who has hurt your loved ones, or anyone you struggle to forgive. Ask God to help you see them the way He does — with the same grace, mercy, and bright future as he sees you. That is the path to freedom!
Was this plan helpful to you? It was adapted from my book “I Forgive You, But…..” You can read the first part here.
About this Plan
Sometimes it’s easier to forgive people who have hurt us than it is to forgive people who have hurt someone we love. It’s easy to be offended and angry when our loved one is harmed or mistreated, but it’s a trap. These six lessons can show you (and your loved ones) how to get past the pain and walk in God’s peace and freedom.
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