Today's scripture: 1 Corinthians 13:5
Love does not take into account a wrong
suffered.
In other words, love doesn’t hold a grudge. Love doesn’t seek revenge. Rather,
love forgives, even when the other person hurts us deeply.
Forgiveness isn’t approval of the other person’s actions. It doesn’t condone
wrongdoing. It doesn’t mean we have to let a person who wronged us into our
daily lives. No. Forgiveness takes the burden of anger and bitterness off of
our own shoulders. It allows us to love as Christ loved—loving the sinner
without loving the sin.
Does this sound too unrealistic to be true? How can I forgive someone who’s abused
me or taken what’s mine—or even killed my child?
It is possible with the strength of our Lord Jesus Christ. I know. The primary
reason for my twenty-year rebellion was because I couldn’t—or wouldn’t—forgive
those who had hurt me. My father for leaving us. Three adult men for abusing
me.
My unforgiveness allowed hate and anger to fill my heart. It caused me to be
miserable and pushed me into depression. Finally, when I just couldn’t take
life any more, I found my way back to the arms of my heavenly Father, and with
His strength, I was able to forgive. Those who hurt me never asked for my
forgiveness, and my doing so didn’t say what they’d done was okay. But my being
able to say “I forgive you” with a sincere heart lifted the burden that had so
consumed my heart.
Holding a grudge or seeking revenge does nothing but destroy your own heart.
There’s a saying that describes this well: “Anger [or unforgiveness] is like
taking poison and expecting the other person to die.”
Don’t “take into account a wrong suffered.” Rather, ask Jesus to give you the
strength to forgive.
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