Choosing Forgiveness

If you choose not to forgive your former spouse, what are you going to do with the resentment you carry and the grievances you have? What are your plans for them?

Harold Graham says, "You take these grievances and hug them to yourself as if they are your most prized possessions, when really they are the very thing that's taking the life out of you, taking your health, taking your fellowship with God, taking your ability to minister, and taking your ability to love."

Forgiveness is hard. Impossible, you may say. Over the next several days you will learn how to forgive and why it is important. You will learn about the release and the freedom that comes with forgiveness.

Laura Petherbridge says, "Many of us feel that we don't have the ability to forgive, and I would say that's absolutely true. If you're looking within yourself to be able to come up with a way to forgive, you're not going to get far. Within your own strength you do not have the ability to truly forgive. I know of only one way to obtain the capability to forgive someone who has inflicted a wound as severe as divorce. That is to humbly bow before Jesus Christ and say, 'I don't know how to do this. I need You to teach me and to show me what true forgiveness looks like. I am willing to learn.'"

Approach God with honesty about your feelings and a willingness to grow.

"If you forgive someone's sins, they're gone for good. If you don't forgive sins, what are you going to do with them?" (John 20:23 Msg).