Dear Friend,
Why should I forgive? Well, the most straightforward answer is simply that Jesus said that we must forgive.
“If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you. But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins.” (Matthew 6:14-15, NLT)
“Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.” (Colossians 3:13, NLT)
A more complex answer is also found throughout the Scriptures. The basis, Satan is waiting on opportunities to overtake us (Reference 1 Peter 5:8). However, through the grace of God and God’s Word, we are not unfamiliar with his schemes (Reference 2 Corinthians 2). Satan uses unforgiveness and division against us. Through unforgiveness and by letting anger control us, Satan gains a foothold in our lives (Reference Ephesians 4:26-27). So many strongholds can be connected to unwillingness to forgive. When the poison of bitterness is rooted in our hearts it becomes more difficult to escape, and we become spiritually sick (Reference Hebrews 12:15). Satan wants to keep us weak and in bondage. Jesus wants us to live in freedom.
Some offenses are minor and can easily be ‘let go’ and forgiven. However, sometimes it is definitely way more difficult than others to offer forgiveness. Sometimes we simply do not have the power within ourselves to forgive our offender. Sometimes the only thing we can do is to rely on the Spirit of God that lives in us to help us overcome and “let go” of the offense that was brought against us. Some of us have experienced such traumas and hurts that the world would even say should be unforgiveable. And, just as our sins are only forgiven through Jesus – sometimes the only way we can forgive someone else is through Jesus. The blood of Jesus speaks of forgiveness, instead of crying out for vengeance (Reference Hebrews 12:24). So, it is not through our might or power, and it is not by our force or strength, but only through the Spirit of God (Reference Zechariah 4:6).
When it is just too much for us, God invites us to pour out our hearts to Him. We can cast our cares on Him. He will be attentive to your cry. He is the antidote to the poison of bitterness.
Angel Buff – vision61.com
Other Posts In This Series
Great Books Suggested by Lisa Brown – Creator Of Me Too Moments For Moms – Affiliated With Amazon
Sally Clarkson’s Own Your Life is a breath of fresh air into the life and soul of a busy woman. Like a faithful friend, Sally journeys with you to explore what it means to live meaningfully, follow God truly, and bring much-needed order to your chaos. Each page offers deeply personal, authentic, and practical guidance to help you build an intentional life. Discover what it means to own your life, and dare to trust God’s hands as He richly shapes your character, family, work, and soul.
Own Your Life: Living with Deep Intention, Bold Faith, and Generous Love
Our obsession with bigger and faster is spinning us out of control. We move through the week breathless and bustling, just trying to keep up while longing to slow down. But real life happens in the small moments, the kind we find on Tuesday, the most ordinary day of the week. Tuesday carries moments we want to hold onto–as well as ones we’d rather leave behind. It holds secrets we can’t see in a hurry–secrets not just for our schedules but for our souls. It offers us a simple bench on which to sit, observe, and share our stories.
For those being pulled under by the strong current of expectation, comparison, and hurry, relief is found more in our small moments than in our fast movements. In Simply Tuesday, Emily P. Freeman helps readers
· stop dreading small beginnings and embrace today’s work
· find contentment in the now–even when the now is frustrating or discouraging
· replace competition with compassion
· learn to breathe in a breathless world
Jesus lived small moments well, slow moments fully, and all moments free. He lives with us still, on all our ordinary days, creating and redeeming the world both in us and through us, one small moment at a time. It’s time to take back Tuesday, to release our obsession with building a life, and believe in the life Christ is building in us–every day.
Simply Tuesday: Small-Moment Living in a Fast-Moving World
Mom Inspired Adventures 
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