It is easy to hold a grudge, but hard to forgive. It is easy to hate, but hard to love. It is easy to be angry, but hard to be patient. God calls us to do what is difficult, not what is always easy. He knows what is good for us, and we need to trust His judgment.
A woman I know has a license plate that spells out the word forgive. Every time I see her car in the parking lot at work, I am reminded of what God says over and over. He commands us to forgive others, no matter what they have done to us. We must do the hard thing, and forgive them.
Even if someone did something that made us lose our job, we must forgive. Even if a person told damaging stories about us, we must forgive. Even if our reputation suffers, we must forgive. Even if an individual takes credit for what we have done, we must forgive.
God does not ask us what we want to do. He tells us. We have no say in the matter, and we do not get to choose our will over God’s. Either we obey Him, or not. It is that simple, even though what we have to do is difficult. If we do not forgive, we are on our own. If we make an effort to forgive, God will be with us, and help us. The sooner we start forgiving, the quicker we will be able to put our anger, hate, and resentment behind us. These things have no place in our life, and they belong in the past.
If you cannot forgive for yourself, at least forgive for God.
16 comments:
I am certainly depending on God helping me. Thank you Denise. Blessings.
I'm still working on this one ;)
Denise,
Thanks for your post! What a great reminder to forgive!
I think I might need a neighbor with a license plate that reads... Forgive or Show Mercy!
Thanks for your words today...
Blessings,
Melanie
Awesome reminder sis. Thank you. Have a great weekend. God bless. Love you in Christ.
You have a precious heart Denise!
I came by to say I'm thinking of you and praying for you this weekend and praying all God's best for you. I love you.
Yes, so true!
Every time God commands something of us it is for our benefit. I may not always understand, or like it but it's still the truth. He knows what happens inside of us when we do not forgive. Forgiveness is not saying that what might have happened is okay, it is saying I give up the right to make the other person pay for the offense committed against me.
It's not easy.
Thank you for your words of truth.
How are you guys doing??
May you have a wonderful Mother's Day!
This is powerful. Thank you. Love you!
This is wonderful and oh so true! Christian author Joyce Meyer always says "Do yourself a favor and forgive." She says that refusing to forgive is like drinking poison, hoping that it kills the other person. Christian author Beth Moore says that forgiving something doesn't make what they did right, it just frees you. I think both of these women are correct. Your comments also are right and they add yet another dimension to why we must forgive. Thanks!
Love the new look! Great reminder...we who are forgiven so much must also forgive! Love you!
Happy Mother's Day Denise!
Hugs
Wow we were both touched by the spirit to blog on a similar post... Amen !!! God is speaking to his people about forgiveness and it surely is possible for with him all things are possib le!!
Love you my sweet sweet sister, continued prayers for you and your precious husband.
"If we make an effort to forgive, God will be with us, and help us"...amen...it is so hard to do this sometimes on our own, but He will help us if we take that first step....
If you cannot forgive for yourself, at least forgive for God.
I have two pieces to write on forgiveness. I intend to quote you dear, because that line is too good to miss.
Forgiveness is a key to healing=)Thanks!
I needed this today. I am much better at holding grudges than offering forgiveness... even when holding on is only hurting myself. Thank you.
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