12 Sep Who Do You Need to Choose to Forgive?

Forgiveness. Eww. Not a fun topic to talk about.

For me, I would prefer to talk about the hard stuff. The stuff that makes people cringe. The stuff that might make people uncomfortable because I believe it’s the hard topics that need to be discussed more. I say this a lot, but there is too much fluff and puff. There needs to be more truth spoken. Can I get an amen?

Today’s topic might not be fun, but it’s Biblical and therefore necessary. Let’s start with the first truth and that is this: If you are a Believer in Christ, then God forgave you.

To be honest, I shouldn’t have to share much more than that. The truth is that God forgave you, so you should forgive others. But let’s keep going…

When God forgave you, you were a sinner, so he didn’t forgive you because you deserved it, but he did so because of his unconditional love towards you. Remember, that when you forgive others it’s not because they always deserve it, but because you are called to forgive those who hurt you. Which means that when you choose to forgive others you are not agreeing with someone’s actions. It’s not saying that what they did was right. It isn’t approving of how they treated you. So it’s time to stop looking at it that way. If we only forgave when we felt people deserved forgiveness then we would never walk in forgiveness.

Some of you might be thinking, “But you don’t understand what that person did to me.”

You are right. I don’t understand. Just as you don’t understand the deep pain that people caused me. What I do understand is that when you choose not to forgive those who have hurt you, it locks you in prison. It leaves you in bondage. It opens the door for the enemy to reside. It reveals that your heart has become hard. Unforgiveness becomes your problem and the only person you can blame for your state of misery is you. Not only that, but when you choose not to forgive you are driving the point that what happened to you is greater than what Christ did on the cross for you.

One of the fastest ways to experience freedom in your life is by choosing forgiveness. Forgiveness is not a feeling. It’s a choice. And you were commanded to make the choice to forgive, but no one is going to make you do it. You are going to have to choose it. You will have to take responsibility.

Forgiveness isn’t always easy, but by grace through the Holy Spirit, it is always possible. What excuses have you made to withhold forgiving the people who hurt you? Who do you need to forgive today? I encourage you to not only forgive them, but to bless them too.

“Freely you have received; freely give.” Matthew 10:8

“Forgive, and you will be forgiven.” Luke 6:37

“Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.” Colossians 3:13

“Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” Ephesians 4:32

“In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace that he lavished on us.” Ephesians 1:7-8

PS. If you are going through infertility, please head over to join a faith-based support group I founded, Moms in the Making! We are having a conference October 12-13 and you are invited!

PPS. Have you picked up a copy of my book? Buy In Due Time, a 60-day devotional for hope + encouragement in the waiting.

PPPS. I created a group on facebook as an extension of my book + blog to discuss anything + everything. Women only! Come join us!

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