Faith To Forgive

Forgiveness is a choice, and it is seldom a one-time event. It doesn’t mean you forget the pain someone else caused you, and it doesn’t mean you become a doormat for the offender to hurt you again. If you’re not careful, allowing resentment to grow in your life will lead to selfish behavior. Unaddressed pain begets more pain. Forgiveness isn’t letting the offender off the hook or condoning what they did to you. It also doesn’t mean you have to reenter a relationship with the person who hurt you, as in the case of domestic or sexual abuse. However, it does mean you release the resentment and desire for revenge and no longer allow that offense to control your life.

Forgiveness requires faith, and if we profess to be followers of Jesus, it is not an option or suggestion. Holding on to grudges and being resentful only further deepens the roots of hostility and hatred in our hearts, further dividing us from the presence of God. Notice I didn’t say it separates us from his love, because his love is available freely whenever we are ready. But we cannot walk in the fullness of life without knowing the power of forgiveness.

Addressing forgiveness requires a conscious decision to do so, and we cannot do it flippantly. We must choose to forgive and willingly do so based on the condition of our spiritual being and not only by our intellectual decision-making abilities. While others who have hurt you may not accept personal responsibility for their actions and ask you for forgiveness, taking a step of faith and forgiving them while you are in pursuit of a closer walk with Jesus will lead to a better life. It will help you gain a better perspective of who God is as our Father and Savior.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, I cannot carry the burden of pain and sin in my own strength any longer. I am asking you to forgive me of every sin in my life, those I am aware I have committed and those I am not aware I have committed. In the same way, I am coming to you today and opening my hands to forgive those who have hurt me. You know the details, and I am giving it all to you. Soften my heart toward you and heal the pain in my life. Thank you for your mercy and grace. Amen.