“When you are praying, and you remember that you are angry with another person about something, then forgive him. If you do this, then your Father in heaven will also forgive your sins.”” Mark 11:25 ICB
Recently, someone told me to write a list of all the people that I️ was angry at. In my head, I️ thought to myself I️’m not angry at anyone but I️ still made the list and the list ended up being filled with 22 people that I️ was either angry at or irritated with, including myself. Forgiveness is something that is very powerful and we don’t realize it. Think about what would have happened to your life, if God had not forgiven you. Where would you be… where would we all be? God forgave us and that changed the whole course of our life. It’s not easy to forgive someone if you do it in your own strength. “forgiveness is not for the person but for you, and for your own help. Forgiving someone takes more strength and humility than you think, and that is something we must look to God for. You truly need help from God especially when forgiveness is in play. Only He would know best how to help you forgive yourself or your neighbor, therefore seek His help.
Forgiveness gives us so much inner peace, joy, and freedom in our hearts. We must also realize that forgiving ourselves is just as important as forgiving others. If you are at war within your own self how then can you be at peace with the rest of the world? The power to forgive and to walk in forgiveness comes from the Most High. If we want to be able to forgive and freely walk in it we will need the grace and strength of God. Unforgiveness will always keep you in bondage. First, ask God to forgive you, then forgive yourself and begin to forgive others and be free of the entanglement of unforgiveness.
Prayer: Lord, I thank You because You epitomized what forgiveness looks like. I come to you asking that you grant me the strength and humility to forgive _____. Also, help me to see myself and my wrongs and forgive myself. Help me to understand and to sympathize with those who have hurt me. I pray that you forgive me for my sins as well and continue to grow me in love. In Jesus name, Amen.