The Struggle To Forgive

Colossians 3:13 NIV “Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.”

Every human has been deeply and profoundly hurt at some point in relating with others and has struggled with forgiveness. I believe the majority of the world’s population, Christians and Non-Christians are struggling with forgiveness. When someone hurts us, our natural response is to strike back. Rather than forgive, we want to pay back the pain, shame, and suffering.  Rather than let go, we cling to resentment, rage, and retaliation. Sincerely, there are people who have been truly wronged and mistreated by others from their own family, church family, best friends, acquaintances, co-workers, and relatives. Though they know God has instructed us to forgive, but they are asking themselves some tough questions: What if it hurts too much to forgive? What if the other person is not sorry? How can I let someone off the hook for doing something so wrong? But a quick reminder: forgiveness is a decision, an act of your will that results in true freedom. And I want to pint you to the ONE who was offended the most and forgave the most, the Lord Jesus Christ. He knows your pain, He knows your need, and He know how best to empower you to forgive, even when you feel it is impossible (Hebrews 4:15, 1 Peter 5:7). Hand over your situation to Him (Jesus Christ). You hurt yourself when you live with deep-rooted bitterness. The best gift you can give yourself is to forgive others. You have everything to gain and nothing to lose!