Proverbs 17:9 – Love prospers when a fault is forgiven, but dwelling on it separates close friends.
Developing great relationships take work. Truly loving one another unconditionally means we constantly have to forgive one another. The people we are closes to often are the ones we hurt the most and they hurt us just as often. To be able to continue to grow our relationships we must be willing to forgive. I know that some hurts are so deep that it can be difficult to let go, and that healing from those hurts take time. Forgiveness doesn’t necessarily mean that we can just forget and I also recognize that every relationship is not meant to be restored. However, the problem that is on my heart today is what happens in our spirit when we dwell on the offenses. When we are not willing to or have difficulty letting go, it hinders the continued growth of not just that relationship but our own growth if we constantly dwell on the offense. Continuing to dwell on an offense means we have not truly forgiven. Remember forgiveness is not just for the other person. Forgiveness is mostly for you; to help you heal. Also, having un-forgiveness in our heart spills over into other relationships and other areas of our lives. It can harden our hearts and erode us from the inside.
Think about it… what if God dwelled on your mistakes? Aren’t you thankful that He doesn’t? Thank God for the new mercies He gives us every day. As Christians, we are called to be Christ-like; to love one another unconditionally, to forgive and show one another mercy. If you are having difficulty letting go of a past offense or hurt, take it to God in prayer. When we lay the offense at the altar and open our hearts to receive God’s love, it brings about our healing and if it is God’s will the restoration of that relationship as well. Let’s pray.
Prayer: Lord, forgive me for my faults; help me to forgive myself and help me to forgive the faults of others. Lord, I pray that you will help me to forgive ______________ for the hurt and pain caused by their offense towards me. Help me to heal from it and not dwell on it so that it will not hinder my growth and so that there may be healing within the relationship. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.
Purpose in Action: Who are holding any un-forgiveness against? Take the situation to God in prayer and ask Him to help you truly forgive.
For His Purpose,
LiKeisha
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