Each of us have been hurt by someone. Many times that painful hurt leaves a wound that will not seem to heal. As a result we become resentful, angry and bitter. The grace of God working in us will allow us to forgive the origin of the offense bringing us comfort and joy. These emotions will come as a result of forgiveness working inside of us.

Just as the grace of God is a gift, forgiveness is a gift we give to ourselves. Letting go of our bitterness and resentment will lead to feelings of understanding, empathy and compassion for the one who hurt us.  We can forgive the person that hurt us without excusing the act that caused us the pain. Forgiveness brings peace and joy that will enable us to go on with life, and live it more abundantly.

When we do not forgive, we pay the price by carrying that anger and bitterness into every experience of our lives. A lack of forgiveness will so consume us, that we will not enjoy the good things in our life, causing us to ruin our relationships with others. A lack of forgiveness is poison to our soul that eats at us from the inside out.

The power of forgiveness transforms us from “victim to victor” removing the power the hurt had over our life. Forgiveness allows us to no longer be defined by how we’ve been hurt. In the process of forgiving we find happiness, emotional and spiritual healing.

As a child I loved to run across the yard, my bare feet squeezing the cool grass between my toes. Even now the memories make me smile. That is until I stepped on a sticker. I grew up in North Texas where there many, many stickers. Stickers are small burs, sharp as a needle that grow in the yard. If they are not immediately removed and allowed to spread they will invade every inch your yard and make walking barefooted very painful.

Hebrews 12:15 warns us make sure that we do not miss the grace of God by allowing weeds of bitter resentment to grow. A weed that is allowed to seed will ruin a garden in no time. God’s grace and our bitterness cannot coexist in the same heart. God’s grace will push out your bitterness and resentment, or your bitterness will push out God’s grace.

By God’s grace we have been forgiven, and by God’s grace we can become the forgiver. If we store resentment and bitterness it will poison us, crippling and destroying our life. Let the love of Jesus Christ’s be your antidote. Do yourself a favor, forgive and set yourself free, so that you can be happy.

Ephesians 4:32 be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.