Week 5 | Day 1 | My Choice: His Way!

Command:

Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?” Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.” Matthew 18:21-22 (NIV)

Read:

Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Colossians 3:13-14 (NIV)

Reflect:

I can easily remember the pain I felt during my divorce over 25 years ago. Even though I have repeatedly forgiven my former spouse, if I choose to dwell on the pain, I soon find it necessary to go back and surrender it all to Jesus again. When Jesus instructs us to forgive seventy-seven times it makes so much sense to me, but I know firsthand, that it’s not easy.

“Forgiveness is an act of the will, and the will can function regardless of the temperature of the heart.” ― Corrie Ten Boom

Rarely do I feel like surrendering. Yet, I realize that when Jesus answered Peter in Matthew 18:21-22, he didn’t add the need for any prerequisites or conditions before forgiveness was extended. I chose to forgive often before I felt like forgiving. I often can only forgive by asking Jesus to help me to do what feels impossible. He knows my heart and hears my prayers.

Each time I surrender the situation to the Lord, he removes the emotions that lead to bitterness. My choice to forgive doesn’t mean I wasn’t hurt nor does it justify the other person’s actions, but rather when I surrender the situation to God, I choose to forgive because that is the way of Jesus.

Rather than allowing my pain to make me bitter, the Lord uses forgiveness to bring growth and beauty in my life. As I become a better forgiver, I grow into the person God designed me to be. Out of pain, the Lord brings beauty.

React:

Who do you need to forgive today? Ask Jesus to show you the way of forgiveness. Trust him with your situation. He is faithful.

Pray:

Help me today to become a better forgiver and to grow to be more like you. Please show me who I need to forgive and how I can surrender the situation to you. Thank you for forgiving me.