Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.
(Colossians 3:13 NIV)
God has set the example. Because He has forgiven us, we are called to forgive others. When we refuse to extend forgiveness to those who have offended us, we can experience negative consequences in our lives. Here are some examples:
- We can become consumed with bitterness, anger, resentment, and vast frustration.
- We can have difficulty loving others and accepting love. Our life is filled with a hardness.
- An unforgiving spirit puts a block in our relationship with God. Our prayers aren’t heard.
- Physical problems can emerge when we carry grudges and our hearts are filled with hatred.
When someone has committed an offense against you, acknowledge your hurt to the Lord. Don’t deny the pain you experience about it. Then lay your hurt and the reason for it at the foot of the cross. Dismiss your right to retaliate or hold onto the pain. The pain you’re holding onto is making the original injury worse for you! Let go of that pain! Forgiving others brings peace to your spirit. Indeed, it does! Don’t delay—forgive today!
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