By Judy Rolfe
Mark 11:25-26, “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.”
A pastor recently said, "A short memory and a forgiving heart are best." The consequences of unforgiveness are very real and detrimental in so many ways.
Each time we begin to pray, God will remind us if there is someone in our life that we refuse to forgive.
Our prayers will be hindered by this unforgiving spirit.
So often we wait for the other person to ask forgiveness first. Meanwhile, our prayers go unanswered, and we develop a critical spirit. The person who forgives little will also love little. Luke 7:47, “Wherefore I say unto thee, Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little.”
People are going to offend us. The question is - How do we respond? Do we allow our minds to mull over and over what they said or did? This only makes us a miserable, unhappy Christian.
God's Word actually teaches us to be the first to go and reconcile our fellowship with that individual.
This requires humility on our part. Our pride wants to avoid that person and criticize them before others.
I have been deeply hurt by others, as I am sure most everyone else has at some point in their life. How we respond is what really matters. As you read this, if the name of someone comes to your mind that you have not forgiven, ask the Lord to give you the courage and humility needed to go to that person and reconcile things.
The burden you have been carrying will suddenly be lifted, and you will know a peace that passes all understanding. Unforgiveness causes stress and anxiety. Forgiveness is the very best medicine.
Let those grudges go. You will never regret it.