UNPACK This...Forgiving One AnotherSample

Forgiving Tiger Woods

Tiger Woods, one of the greatest athletes of all time, has a huge following of fans who flock to see him whenever he steps onto the course - despite his tremendous downfall at the height of his golf career.

As devastated as fans have been about Tiger’s collapse on and off the course, their “fan love” has allowed them to ultimately forgive him. Surprisingly, many people have put his past behind them and are back on the bandwagon cheering him on to win whenever he competes.

Sports fans do a tremendous job of forgiving athletes and giving them a second chance. We don’t want to remain hurt and discouraged, but would rather support them on their rise back up. We eventually let go of our bitterness and continue supporting our favorite athletes.

Unfortunately, we aren’t always as forgiving in our personal relationships. Even though the hurt from those we’re close to can run deep, the process of forgiveness still requires love, grace, and a willingness to put the past behind us.

When we understand the love, grace, and forgiveness God has shown us through Jesus, we can more willingly forgive others. If we acknowledge the depth of our own sin and how a perfect God welcomes us despite our past, we can choose to forgive those who cause us pain.

In Matthew 6:14-15, Jesus tells us the importance of forgiveness: “If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you. But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins.”

Today, let’s allow God’s grace and love to help us continuously give and receive forgiveness.

I’m Bryce Johnson, and you can UNPACK that!

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, thank You so much for the forgiveness You continually show me, and for giving me the ability to leave the past behind. Please give me the strength to let go and show grace to those who have wronged me. In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen.