The Shadow of Unforgiveness

Forgiveness… Sigh. There’s a word that evokes a lot of emotion, doesn’t it? When something offensive has happened to us, we hear this a lot—“you have to forgive!” Indeed, the Bible teaches us: “…if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins” (Mark 11:25). But forgiving feels hard to do.

Forgiving a person who’s caused us pain is far from anything we naturally want to do. It seems easier to hold on to the pain and conjure up ways to make them pay for what they did, thinking that it will soothe our wounds. But the reality is, like Nelson Mandela said, it’s “…like drinking poison, then hoping it will kill your enemies.” Unforgiveness eats us up inside. And, like shame, it wedges itself between us and God, making it difficult to receive the healing God longs to bring about in our lives.

Think of it this way: forgiveness is not only for the benefit of the offender but particularly for the one offended. Intentionally letting go of an offense and choosing to no longer hold it against the offender frees us! It makes room for joy and newness of life! Also, forgiveness doesn’t necessarily mean forgetting. Our brains are wired for memory. When we remember the offense, we simply recommit to the forgiveness of it. And forgiveness doesn’t always mean reconciling. We can forgive and still maintain healthy boundaries. But all in all, forgiveness always liberates us!

Today I encourage you to break through the shadow of unforgiveness by grasping hold to God’s healing through the power of forgiving others. It takes the active power of the Holy Spirit in our lives to do it, but, as the late Maya Angelou is credited for saying—"it’s one of the greatest gifts you can give yourself.”

Today's Promise:Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing. (1 Peter 3:9NIV)