Introduction

When we were kids something happened on the inside of us if another child issued a challenge and said: “I dare you.” For many of us, even if we were shaking in our boots, we did not want to be intimidated by a dare. We wanted to prove that we could tackle the task at all costs. Now, we are no longer children on a playground and our challenges have increased in difficulty.  

One universally difficult obstacle is that of forgiveness. This is an act we will all need to be the recipient of at some point, but when we have to offer forgiveness to someone else it can feel impossible to do. How do you resist the temptation to be bitter, get even, or sulk? How do you forgive when your offender is oblivious to the pain they have caused or reluctant to accept responsibility for their actions? How do you find the courage to move forward and not be imprisoned by pain? 

So go ahead and resist the temptation to remain the same, accept the challenge, and choose forgiveness. I dare you! 

Day One:  Admit You Need To Forgive

Focus Scriptures

The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?  Jeremiah 17: 9 (NIV)

Search me, God, and know my heart;  test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.  Psalm 139: 23 - 24 (NIV)

Devotion

Do you trust your heart? Although our heart appears to be a pretty reliable source, we are reminded in the Bible that our heart is “deceitful above all things.” This deceit includes denying when we are harboring unforgiveness towards someone.

Our heart can convince us that everything is fine and we are okay, even when we are not. Our heart can mask, disguise, and lie in an effort to present a picture-perfect persona. Our hearts can deceive us.

This is why the most difficult step in the forgiveness dare may be admittance. Acknowledging we are hurt and the fact that we have been unable to move ahead can be difficult to admit. As a result, we keep it a secret and never reveal the reality that we have a problem. Before we know it, we are steeped in unforgiveness and too ashamed and proud to admit it.

It takes courage to admit our wrongs. It takes honesty to own the deceit lurking in our own hearts. 

 David appears to know the limitations of the human heart. He asked the Lord to search his heart. He gave God permission to expose anything in him that was not in line with who God wanted him to be. We too must be willing to allow the Holy Spirit to expose the sin in our heart that is displeasing to God. 

Acknowledging unforgiveness as sin may be difficult to do when we feel justified to withhold forgiveness from the person who wronged us. We may think they are getting what they deserve, but it is not our responsibility to vindicate ourselves. That responsibility belongs to God. Our job is to work on our hearts.

David was essentially saying: “God I give you permission to do a heart examination on me.” This was a bold move considering he was talking to the God who made Him. David knew this is what God required of him. This is what God requires of us too: a pure heart. So go ahead and ask God to search your heart and reveal if there is anyone you need to forgive. I dare you!

Reflective Questions

Ask the Holy Spirit to search your heart. Is there someone He is leading you to forgive? Who is it and how have they wronged you? Why might God be leading you to forgive this person?