God's Not Mad at You, in Fact He Loves YouChikamu

New are His mercies every morning.

Often, people ask how I could forgive those who hurt me, especially my uncle. My answer is, new are his mercies with me every day. That’s right. It’s as simple and difficult as you read that. I lie if I say that it was easy for me to forgive, but as the years passed and I began to know God more deeply, I realized I am not God to judge, and who am I not to forgive?

My uncle, like me, had a very difficult childhood. He grew up alone, without direction, and lacked love and protection. When I think of him, I don’t doubt that he suffered a lot of abuse like me. We receive forgiveness without having deserved it because of God’s incomparable love for us.

The model prayer teaches us to forgive, “forgive us, just as we forgive those who offend us,” is a condition and a decision. The Lord forgives me because I also forgive. It is a process, it can be arduous and long, but the reality is that it is in your hands. God will not force you to forgive, but He expects you to do so if you call yourself a child of God.

Start today, little by little. Say it out loud. “Even if I don’t fully understand why you hurt me (name the person), I forgive you.” Remember, forgiveness is a gift to the forgiven, but it is a precious benefit to you. You deserve it. It does not mean it did not happen or you’re unimportant. On the contrary, you deserve to be free because you are important. It is why Jesus gave his life for you, so that you may be free.