Today I was reading Matthew 18:21-35, and God laid these words on my heart. I wanted to share them with you.
So many people don’t want to forgive because they equate it with saying, “It’s okay,” The action you are forgiving wasn’t okay; forgiveness isn’t about saying it is okay. It is about letting go of the pain, hurt, and resentment that their action caused. God forgave our sins. He didn’t say they were okay. He said He forgave us by paying the price for them. He took all the pain, hurt, bitterness, and resentment on Him on that Cross so that we wouldn’t have to live constantly with it it. He also wants us to forgive others because He has paid for their sins. He also knows that forgiveness is often not even for the one that hurt us. It is for our hearts. We can’t live with the anger, hurt, and bitterness festering inside our hearts and be who God wants us to be.
Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Ephesians 4:31
We don’t forgive people in our strength; the strength comes from the blood of Jesus. I have had a lot of hurt over the past three years. It has been hard for me to forgive the pain I experienced. However, the freedom that comes from forgiveness is freeing. You can step forward on the path that God has for you.
Following His Lead 