This Year I Will Sample

Day 6: This Year I Will Greet Each Day With Forgiveness

Holding onto hurts and grudges holds you back from living out the God-dreams and desires in your heart. Unforgiveness is a thief—it steals your joy, peace, and freedom. This year, set yourself free and choose to greet each day with forgiveness. It’s not a feeling, it’s a deliberate decision! 

The life of Joseph recorded in Genesis 37-50 is an incredible example of the power of forgiveness. Joseph was betrayed by his brothers in every way. They threw him in a pit, sold him into slavery, and told his father that he was dead. 

Because of their actions, he eventually found himself assisting Potiphar, falsely accused, and thrown in prison… but God was at work! By God’s Spirit, he was able to correctly interpret a dream for Pharaoh. He was so pleased that he made Joseph his Chancellor. He was second in command of all of Egypt, the most powerful empire at the time, because he was an “I will” person. 

In the dream, God warned Pharaoh there soon would be seven years of plenty followed by seven years of famine. During the famine, people from all over came to buy grain from Egypt thanks to Joseph’s strategy to set aside and save grain during the time of plenty. The famine brought Joseph and his brothers face to face once again when they came in search of food. 

Although his brothers didn’t recognize him, Joseph knew their faces the moment he saw them. In a moment full of emotion and love, Joseph forgave his brothers. Not only did God bring full redemption to Joseph and his family, but He made all things work together for Joseph’s good and used him to save millions of people from starvation. 

Joseph was a great man, but he was just a shadow of our Savior. Jesus forgave us so greatly, and we must extend that forgiveness to those who’ve hurt us. You can’t hold onto bitterness and live out your destiny at the same time. You must choose to forgive. Stop living life in the cage of unforgiveness by holding onto a grudge that God’s asking you to let go of. This is your year to greet each day with generous forgiveness! 

Pray with me today: “Heavenly Father, today I choose to forgive anyone who has hurt me in the past. Whatever grudges I’ve been holding onto, I now freely lay at Your feet. Help me to live in the freedom that forgiveness brings and greet each day with an unoffendable heart. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”