Be Unafraid To Be You!Sample

Extend and Embrace Forgiveness

The idea of forgiving is great until it’s your turn. Am I right, or am I right? We can easily support the idea of forgiveness until we’re the one who’s in the hot seat needing to extend grace to someone who has hurt us or hurt someone we care about. We can be advocates for letting go of offenses until someone disses something we stand for or believe in. Then the idea of forgiving becomes a whole different beast altogether.

For many of us, it’s a complex issue with lots of twists and turns. And our stories are layered with pain and let-downs. Truth is, we have every reason NOT to forgive. But here’s where that justification bites us in the behind. We cannot live genuinely when we’re harboring unforgiveness in our heart. Why? Because it clouds how we see life and how we choose to live each day. 

Even more, it adds a filter to our interactions that keeps us guarded. We withhold. And we begin to respond in counterfeit ways, careful to measure our words and manage our responses. Friend, it takes real courage to forgive. It can bring up fears, and sometimes it takes every bit of oomph you can muster to extend that kind of unwarranted grace.

Then we collide with today’s scripture, Ephesians 4:26-27, and understand why God is so adamant that we forgive. This answer to “why should I forgive” paints a powerful picture. And there are two big truths that stand out: 

1) Unforgiveness is a sin. 

2) It opens the door for the Enemy. 

I’ve seen this combination at work in my life. Chances are—because you’re alive on planet earth—you have too. When we make the conscious decision not to forgive, we are sinning because it goes against what God has commanded us to do. And holding on to offenses is like placing a key to our heart into the hands of the Enemy. We’ve just granted unlimited access to someone who hates us and wants to ruin our lives.

Let’s extend and embrace forgiveness so nothing hinders our ability to live authentic lives pleasing to God. It’s an everyday choice you and I get to make.