”In the Scriptures forgiveness is never presented as a feeling; it is always described as a decision.”

A though by Andy Stanley (2009-08-22) from his book, It Came from Within!: The Shocking Truth of What Lurks in the Heart (p. 145). Multnomah Books. Kindle Edition.

Have you ever thought about forgiveness that way? Usually we say, “I’ll forgive you when I feel l like it,” but the truth is with that attitude you will never feel like it so you will lose.

You see, not forgiving hurts us more than it hurts the other person. It hurts you inside, it hurts you in your other relationships and it hurts you with God. He said, He can’t forgive you if you don’t forgive others. So if you don’t forgive them until you feel like it then Satan will make sure you never feel like it.

No, you and I forgive because we choose to do it. Not because they deserve it, but because God demands it and you need to do it to break the chains that have bound you to the action of the other person that has hurt you so much. Forgiveness frees you.

I had a situation that had happened to me some 5 years ago. That person came to my mind while I was doing my morning walk today and I had a conversation with them in my mind while I was walking. I gave it to them and then I realized that I was wrong even though they had wronged me. I then had a conversation with God about the situation and I forgave the person even though they never asked me too but just because God had laid it on my heart to do it. And I have been freed from that situation and that person and that pain through forgiveness.

I chose to forgive them even though I may not have felt like it. I listened to God’s voice not my self-protection voice.

So who do you need/want to forgive today?

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