There’s an old saying that goes like this, “Unforgiveness is like drinking poison and expecting the other person to die.”
So true- it slowly kills the one unwilling to forgive another.
Don’t carry the poison of unforgiveness around for the rest of your life. Do you know how much space unforgiveness takes up in your heart and mind?
LET IT GO! LET IT GO! You know where this is going. I can sing the whole song if you like.
No? Ok, I will spare you my painful rendition.
For the sake of your health, future, and relationships, let it go and trust God with your pain.
It isn’t easy
Some people feel that forgiving the other person lets them off the hook. But I believe extending forgiveness lets you off the hook.
It frees up space in your heart and mind.
Extending forgiveness gives you relief.
And there’s another benefit, which is very important.
Matthew 6:14, “For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your Heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.”
Our Heavenly Father wants us to forgive others who have sinned against us.
His word tells us that our Heavenly Father will forgive us if we forgive others. Our Heavenly Father will not forgive us if we do not forgive others. Uh oh, that’s not a good thing.
It’s hard
I know it’s hard to forgive someone who has caused you great pain.
The Lord understands this, and it is not downplaying your pain.
Some say they can forgive, but they will never forget.
I still have painful memories from past hurts. However, I freed myself of the unforgiveness piece to live freely. It took some doing on my part, but when I finally forgave, I felt free – free from the anger I carried, free from the pain of the offense, free from the grip of unforgiveness.
It requires work
Honestly, when I think about unforgiveness, I think about how much effort was required to carry the load day in and day out, especially when I saw that person. It required purposeful remembrance of the offense on my part to keep up the hurt and anger toward them. What a time waster!
Today, if you are carrying unforgiveness toward another, let it go.
Let yourself off the hook, whether you publicly or privately forgive them. I have never told my ex-husband I have forgiven him because I don’t know where he is, but I have forgiven him in my heart, and that’s what matters most. The Lord knows my intentions, and ultimately that’s who matters most.
It’s a new year with new beginnings.
Forgive so you can be forgiven.
Forgive so you can unload that weight you are carrying.
Forgive so you can let yourself off the hook.
Don’t delay. The Lord is waiting.
Blessings,
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