The Struggle With Unforgiveness - Hebrews 12.14-15 - Daily Devotional Audio

The Struggle With Unforgiveness - Hebrews 12.14-15 - Daily Devotional Audio

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TheWholeArmourOfGod.org Sharing Daily Devotional Audio Provided by ‘In Touch Ministries’ https://www.intouch.org/read/daily-devotions/the-struggle-with-unforgiveness Published on March 23rd 2023

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Hebrews 12.14-15 NASB

Pursue peace with all people, and the holiness without which no one will see the Lord. 15 See to it that no one comes short of the grace of God; that no root of bitterness springing up causes trouble, and by it many become defiled;

Dear brothers and sisters,

Today, I want to talk about the struggle with unforgiveness. It’s an issue that many of us have faced at some point in our lives. Maybe you’ve been hurt by someone close to you, or maybe you’ve been wronged in some way. Whatever the case may be, holding onto unforgiveness can be detrimental to our physical, emotional, and spiritual health.

As Christians, we are called to forgive others just as Christ forgave us. In Matthew 6:14-15, Jesus says, “For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.”

It’s clear that forgiveness is not an option for us as believers. It’s a commandment that we must follow. But why is it so difficult to forgive?

One reason could be that we feel justified in holding onto our anger and resentment. We may feel like the other person doesn’t deserve our forgiveness, or that they haven’t shown enough remorse for their actions. But the truth is, forgiveness isn’t about the other person – it’s about us.

When we hold onto unforgiveness, we are allowing bitterness and resentment to take root in our hearts. This can lead to feelings of anger, sadness, and even depression. It can also affect our relationships with others and our relationship with God.

In Colossians 3:13, we are told to “bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.” We are reminded that Christ has forgiven us of our sins, no matter how great or small they may be. If we are to follow His example, we must extend that same grace and mercy to others.

But what if the person who wronged us isn’t sorry for what they did? What if they continue to hurt us, even after we’ve forgiven them? In situations like these, forgiveness doesn’t necessarily mean forgetting what happened or reconciling with the person who hurt us. It simply means releasing our anger and resentment towards them and entrusting them to God’s justice.

In Romans 12:19, we are told, “Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: ‘It is mine to avenge; I will repay,’ says the Lord.” We can trust that God will ultimately deal with the person who wronged us in His own time and His own way. We don’t need to carry that burden ourselves.

So how do we go about forgiving someone who has hurt us deeply? It’s not easy, but it’s possible.

First, we must acknowledge our own hurt and pain. It’s okay to grieve and process our emotions. But we must also recognize that holding onto unforgiveness will only prolong our pain.

Next, we must make a conscious decision to forgive. This may mean praying for the person who wronged us and asking God to help us let go of our anger and resentment.

Finally, we must choose to extend grace and mercy to the person who hurt us. This doesn’t mean we condone their actions or ignore the hurt they caused us. It simply means we choose to release them from our anger and bitterness and entrust them to God’s care.

In conclusion, forgiveness is not always easy, but it is necessary for our physical, emotional, and spiritual health. As Christians, we are called to follow Christ’s example and extend grace and mercy to others, no matter how difficult that may be. Let us pray for the strength to forgive those who have wronged us and trust in God’s justice and mercy. Amen.