"And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you". Ephesians 4:32
"Forgiving one another" Learning to let things go is one of the greatest challenges we face as humans but to grow in Christ we must do so. You may say that forgiving a person that has hurt you is above and beyond the call of duty. Well, we are supposed to be like Jesus, aren't we? The last time I read my Bible that's what it said! As a matter of fact I'm sitting here looking at several verses on forgiveness as I write this devotion. It's the memory of the incident that caused all this pain and trauma in your life that you can't forget much less forgive the "devil" that did the deed. When the "WWJD" bracelets came out we all bought one and wore it like a badge of spirituality. Wearing a bracelet and forgiving someone that has hurt you are two different things. There is a vast difference between the two. Forgiveness is painful but freeing, yes, you have borne the pain, the hurt, the trauma but you'll never be free until you truly forgive the person as Christ forgave you. If you read Job chapter 42 you will find out that Job got double blessings after he prayed for his friends that had hated on
him for 42 long chapters. They heaped oppression on top of Job's depression but he forgave and got blessed. Forgiveness is costly, you are paying the price of the pain whether you forgive or not, if you don't let it go, it will turn to bitterness which will rot your bones like a cancer. You are living with the consequences of the evil that's been done to you, why not forgive and be free. The person you forgive may never even know, they may never change, but YOU will and it will be a day to remember. FORGIVENESS FIXES YOUR PAIN NOT THE OTHER PERSONS BEHAVIOR!!! Allow me to let you in on a secret, you are not responsible for everyone's behavior, just yours. Forgive someone today and you will be amazed at what God is about to do in your life
I Believe,
Scott L. Boatner
Insight from God's Word
