Choosing to Forgive

The reason we do not forgive is we live in a society
that teaches us to see others as disposable – no relationship is worthy of saving.
We replace the washer or refrigerator when it is broken – it can’t last forever.
We are conditioned that nothing lasts.
We extend that thought to people, to children, to our spouse, to our brothers and sisters, to our friends and to other people and entities.
We do not feel anything is so valuable that we need to go after it.
We just let the offense take root,
so that the discord becomes a song we sing out of tune
over those in our life that we choose NOT to forgive.
Forgiveness is a choice first –
one we make with the mind and not with the heart.
Sometimes – the heart is the last part to sing the harmony of forgiveness – sometimes we steel our heart so deep – it becomes a fortress for the enemy.
We spray it with armor to keep out the thoughts that would bring forgiveness.
We seal our heart against forgiveness – nothing can get through.
Our mind no longer is free but a slave to our hardened steel-cased heart.
It is a prisoner of the toughest sort.
We have the key – but we won’t pick it up – we won’t use it.
Forgiveness is a concept we see for others and not for ourself.
We take the concept and shelve it
so that we don’t have to do the work of forgiveness.
It is not something that we just say – “I forgive you”,
although we sometimes say it without any real depth or
meaning to the words we speak.
We say it while thinking – “Yes, but things will never be the same between us.”
We erect a wall that we have no intention of tearing down.
We have no intention of forgiving.
We let the effects of unforgiveness
ride our future with the one we have disagreed and
we let it play its sour notes as it taints the rest of our life.
We do not let go and join God in the harmony of forgiveness.

Lord, you saw the value in me when You died for me. Help me to remember that same value is what You have for others. Help me to make the choice to forgive and to walk in total forgiveness without holding back a portion of bitterness. I thank You that in my weakness, I can rely on Your strength. Father, increase my strength and courage to forgive the way You forgave me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Scroll to top