Forgiveness

Have you ever struggled with forgiveness?

Hey GEM girls! Earlier this year, someone did something rather upsetting that affected me and my family and destroyed my trust and confidence in them. For several months I was upset, angry, bitter, and refused to treat this person kindly. After all, since they hurt me so badly, I ought to do the same back to them, right? They needed to feel the pain we all felt.

My mom reminded me that forgiveness is very powerful, but I felt that this person wasn't even worth my forgiveness. Then I realized, forgiveness wasn't really for them. It was for me! Forgiving this person would take all of the stress and anger away, and place this problem the person created in the hands of Jesus.

So, after weeks of wrestling with whether to forgive or not, I finally decided to forgive. Even though they were still being inconsiderate and unapologetic for the pain resulting from their reckless actions, I decided to lay it all down at the feet of Christ.

Several verses helped me come to the conclusion to forgive:

• "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).

• "Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you." (Ephesians 4:31-32, NLT).

• "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).

Forgiveness is not an easy decision. But when it is made, and the problem is given to God, you will feel more peace in your situation. Remember, harboring anger towards someone hurts you more than it hurts them.

GEM girls, have you ever felt like you couldn't forgive someone? Did you eventually forgive them?

XOXO,