Forgive

Bear with each other and forgive one another if

any of you have a grievance against someone.

Forgive as the Lord forgave you.

Colossians 3:13 

Forgiving someone who has wronged you or hurt you should be a simple process:  God forgave us  =  we forgive them.  Unfortunately, it is not that simple, particularly if the cut is deep.  If the  person who has offended us is sorry for what they have done, forgiveness is much easier. But if the other individual(s) feels no remorse, or worse, if they feel justified in their actions, then forgiving them feels nigh impossible.

God speaks so often in the Bible about forgiving those who offend us, because He knows a fundamental truth:  If we do not forgive, the offense sits in our gut like a rock, eating us from the inside out.  Forgiveness does not condone the act, but pours out grace to the offender.  Holding on to our “rightness” will never change the other person, but it can destroy us.

Forgiveness does not excuse their behavior.

Forgiveness prevents their behavior from destroying your heart.

Today's Summer Reading:  2nd Corinthians 1-3

Sunday's Summer Reading:  2nd Corinthians 4-6