Forgiveness

“Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved,
put on tender mercies, kindness, humility,
meekness, longsuffering; bearing with one another,
and forgiving one another, if anyone has a
complaint against another; even as Christ forgave
you, so you also must do.” —Colossians 3:12–13

Forgiveness! How can I get there and stay there? What if the same
thing keeps happening over and over again? Is God requiring
something of me that I am simply unable to do? Or, am I so hurt
and so tired that I just don’t want to forgive? Has my care-receiver
robbed me of so much—my past, my present, my future—that I
don’t want to give anything, especially forgiveness?

Without eternal perspective I cannot forgive, and unless I forgive
I have no awareness of eternal perspective. When I persist in
unforgiveness, every circumstance feels like a gouging into my
wounds. I don’t see anything about these circumstances as
purposeful. When my circumstances control my life—“I’m a
victim, life isn’t fair, if only . . .” I am unforgiving, and I am
imprisoning myself!

If I believe the offender is totally responsible for my emotional
pain and do not take responsibility myself, I will be at the mercy of
the offense.

Unforgiveness is sin! Unforgiveness interferes with my
relationship with God. Unforgiveness is the culprit that keeps the
sin alive. Unforgiveness prevents present moment living.
Unforgiveness is a prison of the soul! Unforgiveness kills, steals,
and destroys!

If someone has hurt you, and then unforgiveness robs
you of your peace and joy—your Abundant Life—the
offender wins again! Are you willing to let that happen in your
life?

I can forgive because I am forgiven! Jesus was willing to pay ALL
of the consequences for ALL of my sin—physically, spiritually, and
emotionally. His body was broken; He was separated from God.
He felt abandoned, rejected, and shamed. For me! For my eternal
wellness—that I might be healed and whole, united with Him and
the Father, emotionally full and well. All I have to do is to accept
Jesus’ payment of my debt of sin. What a deal! It’s such a good
deal that I have a difficult time grasping the offer and the
simplicity of acceptance.

What is the most difficult thing for you to forgive? Past events?
Past words? Present circumstances? Present words?

Father, Today my mom said _________________
_____________________. It really hurt my feelings.
I feel that she doesn’t appreciate what I do for her.
I choose to forgive her for those hurtful words. Only
You can bring contentment to her and peace to me.
Amen

From Effective Caregiving, Strength For Today