Forgiving has been on my heart a lot it is something that I struggle with.
Many of us are at different stages in our forgiving walk. The Bible is very clear on this... "And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses. But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses." Mark 11:25-26
A small fire can lead to a whole forests burning. A small flame of fire if ignored can cause unimaginable disaster. The same is with unforgiveness. .
Too Painful
Sometimes, the pain or hurt caused is too much. Still we are commanded to forgive. Matthew 5:44 says "But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you" . In the Bible, we see Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Ghost. He preached wonderfully till he was stoned to death. The men were throwing stones to kill him. It was painful, it hurt and Stephen lost his life. Yet, while they were stoning him, praise God, he cried out to God..the Bible says "And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep." Acts 7:60 What may have been done to me is unbearable but I have to forgive. I'll never know what God can do with that one that I forgive. Jesus said "For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you" Matthew 6:14. Jesus Christ on the cross prayed to God and said "Father forgive them"
Unforgiveness can also be compared to a silent poison. The person that does not forgive does not know that he or she is taking poison but sooner or later it culminates in death. Remember, we are admonished to love and not live in hatred. 1 John 2:9 "He that saith he is in the light, and hateth his brother, is in darkness even until now." One that does not forgive may falsely believe he is in the light when in actuality he is still in darkness. I've felt this poison in my life so many times, after all God really can understand what He is asking of me...but
Unforgiveness is a destiny destroyer. Joseph never succumbed to this. His brothers threw him into a pit, they sold him and hated him openly. We read, "And Joseph said unto them, Fear not: for am I in the place of God? But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive. Now therefore fear ye not: I will nourish you, and your little ones. And he comforted them, and spake kindly unto them." Genesis 50:19-21. Do not let unforgiveness steal your destiny. Whatever they meant for evil, God is able to turn it around for your good.
I want to be able to do this in all things, I
"Don't ever say, "I'll get you for that!"Wait for God; he'll settle the score." Proverbs 20:22