Love Life Again - Finding Joy When Life Is HardSample

Forgive and Forget

Years ago, when I volunteered for a position at my daughter’s middle school, I had no idea of the months of heartache and frustration that would follow. I put in countless hours and had to interact with some difficult people who seemed to go out of their way to be mean to me. Every day was full of conflicts and challenges; I had to endure attacks on myself, my integrity, and sometimes my child.

When other people hurt us, especially when it’s intentional or make us feel as if we don’t fit in, it can cause us to become bitter and angry, making it hard for us to accept, much less forgive them.

What I have learned is this: unforgiveness keeps us in a vicious cycle of unhappiness, but we always have the power to stop the cycle.

Note: forgiving those who have wronged us or hurt us does not mean we are accepting their behavior or letting them off the hook. Rather, it means we are protecting our own hearts from the damage their behavior can cause. It does not mean we have to trust the people who have hurt us or even let them back into our lives (unless God leads us to do so).

Forgiveness is not always easy to give, and it can’t be done in our own strength, but it can be done in God’s strength. Like anything worth achieving, forgiveness takes both practice and patience.

Take a moment right now to think of those whom you might need to forgive. Friend, forgive them – even if they haven’t asked for it, don’t deserve it, won’t appreciate it, and may not recognize that they received it. Do it anyway – for you. Don’t let unforgiveness stand between you and the ability to love your life. It may not happen overnight, but as you continue to ask God to help you forgive and let go of what hurt your heart, He will empower you. Let forgiveness set you free and bring back your joy…today.