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DAY 4: Unthinkable Forgiveness

Forgive is one of the most powerful words in the English language. It is also one of the most difficult things to do. You’ve heard it said that unforgiveness is a poison you drink, thinking the other person will die. And though it seems effective for the moment, the sad reality is that the person who hurt you doesn’t die from that poison—you do. Dreams die. Hopes die. Relationships die. But the sad trajectory of the hurt and bitterness we feel can be changed by one unthinkable action—forgiveness.

The Old Testament character Joseph knew this truth all too well. His brothers were jealous of him and thought to kill him, but instead they sold Joseph to a band of Ishmaelites traveling to Egypt (Gen. 37). Fast-forward two decades and Joseph is second in command in Egypt. A deadly famine strikes the land and his brothers must go to Egypt to get grain lest their families starve to death. Guess who was in charge of grain distribution? Joseph!

I remember when God began to speak to me about my need to forgive a wrong that had been committed against me. I thought, “Let it go? Really?” But I clearly heard God say, “Yes, let it go.” The pain of a betrayal and the ongoing maligning of my character seemed too much to handle. I felt as if I were being made out to be the bad guy when, in fact, I was the one who had been wronged. Months later I discovered the true detriment of unforgiveness when I realized that the poison of unforgiveness had crept into my heart.

The day I recognized how deep the poison had crept into my spirit was the day I prayed that God would set me free. I decided to change my outcome, and you too can change yours. Recognize the hurt and pain that was inflicted upon you, but don’t allow it to dictate how you feel or live your life. Yes, it will hurt, but in facing the pain, you will find freedom. When Joseph came face-to-face with his brothers, he didn’t exact judgment on them. He forgave them. Genesis 50:20 explains why: “But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive” (NKJV).

What or whom do you need to forgive? Today do the unthinkable and give the hurt and pain to God. Let it go and forgive.