Forgiveness…

Forgiveness…4-4-25

In Sunday school a couple of weeks ago, we talked about forgiveness. I’ve thought about that conversation off and on over the last couple of weeks. Then today, while watching a news show, the host was talking about Faith and Forgiveness. The guest, a man whose son had been stabbed at a track meet. The man was explaining that forgiveness was more for his peace than that of the individual who committed the act of taking his son’s life.

Matthew 6:14-15, “For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.” Forgiveness hasn’t been a hard thing for me, until now.

You see, I cant explain it, but forgiving everything that happened growing up wasn’t an option. I knew I needed that. My head and heart needed that. Maybe it wasn’t as much what needed forgiving, but who needed that. Me. In order to move on, I had to forgive myself as well. Years of guilt from thinking that what I went through was my fault. I had to come to the point where I could forgive them and myself.

So earlier, I mentioned “until now”. I am positive that God is convicting me of not forgiving. To be honest, I thought I had forgiven something that happened about a year ago. Told myself it was in the past. Turns out, God knows our heart and in His wisdom, He knew that I needed a gentle nudge. I love that. He loves me enough that He is patient and kind, gently reminding me of my need to forgive.

Ephesians 4:30-32, “And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”