Going into a New Year here in a couple days is always a good time to take stock of your life. What have you done right and what have you messed up on. Weight loss seems to dominate New Years resolutions, but maybe loving others and mending relationships should be a top priority too.
Why is it so hard to forgive someone? Pride perhaps. We humans mess up a great deal yet no matter how bad we are God is there with open arms ready to take us back in and forgive and start over. When we reject God, spit in his face, hurt him by our words or actions he is still ready to forgive. God does not say,"He deserves this. I'll show him". Also he does not say, "I will give him a taste of his own medicine. Just wait!" He also does not say, "How could you do this? You are a stupid moron." No God is patient, forgiving, loving and kind and if he ever made a mistake, he would be ready to admit it and move on. By his example we are to love others regardless and reach out in love to them.
If you have been wronged, let it go. Why continue to let something fester? What good does it do? The only one celebrating is going to be Satan as he is the great divider. (Read John 10:10). A hard heart is hard to win over. You have to be willing to move on, forgive others when they have hurt you and pray for God to heal the relationship. Getting back at someone is not the answer. Misunderstandings happen often in life due to miscommunication and that little tongue of ours can sure cause a lot of 'fires' to break out. Remember in James 3 it says "no one can tame the tongue.' It is a constant battle to watch what we say and think before we speak. Much trouble among people comes from saying the wrong thing. Be willing to hear both sides and be willing to allow God to come in and forgive and heal.
No thank goodness, Jesus is not like us. His love is not based on us being 'perfect'. We often hear 1 Corinthians 13 called the 'love chapter' and associate it primarily at weddings,but if you read it there is much in there about love in general. For instance 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 says ' Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.' If you are in the midst of something right now with a family member or friend due to a misunderstanding read those words in 1 Corinthians and think what they mean. This world would be a better place if we could just learn to move on and let things go and really let God have control. No matter how bad we are God gives second chances. Is there someone in life you need to give a second chance to and forgive?
Colossians 3:13 says " Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.'
PRAYER: Father it is often hard to humble ourselves and admit when we are wrong. Lord I pray if anyone is reading this and has issues with associates in their life, family members, loved ones, or friends that you will help them forgive and move on. Help us Lord each day to think before we speak. Give us the ability to watch what we say, this includes in email since we often 'speak' through emails these days. Father we want your love to permeate our lives. Help us let go of hurt and move on. In Jesus Name. Amen.
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