Freedom in ForgivenessSample

Flex Some Forgiveness

Ready: “Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.” — Colossians 3:13

Set: I, as much as anyone, understand the act of forgiving someone or asking for forgiveness isn’t something we always look forward to or enjoy. Oftentimes, we try to avoid it or ignore it because of the unpleasantness. It’s not much different than the feeling we get when the alarm sounds at 5 or 6 a.m. and we’d rather hit the snooze button than get up and get to work. It’s much easier to hold a grudge or hang on to bitterness toward someone who’s wronged us than it is to offer forgiveness.

God freely offers forgiveness to us (an unlimited number of times), and we are to pay that forward.

Whether it’s a fellow coach who has been disloyal or a teammate who has taken advantage of a situation, we must be willing to offer forgiveness—knowing there is ultimately freedom on the other side.

When we are willing to forgive others as God has forgiven us, amazingly, the real winner is our own hearts. When we let go of the negative emotions, it frees our hearts and increases our ability to love those who wronged us.

The act of forgiveness is just like a muscle that must be flexed, stretched, taxed and tested so it can be strengthened.

So keep flexing, keep stretching, and keep using that forgiveness muscle. With it, you’ll strengthen yourself in the ability to love others as Christ has called us. — Shane Williamson 

Go:

1. Is there someone on your team you need to forgive?

2. How can you extend the forgiveness of God in your own life?

3. What negative emotions do you need to let go of today?

Overtime: Father, it is difficult to humble my heart and forgive someone who has hurt me, especially someone close to me like a teammate or coach. May I open my heart to remember my forgiveness in You, so I can forgive others. Amen.

This text appeared in FCA Magazine. To learn more about the magazine and to subscribe, click here.