Beautiful Word Devotional #52

“When you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.”

Mark 11:25

Our sins against a holy, beautiful God are many, yet he has chosen to forgive us, to pardon us for our waywardness and willfulness. The right response to that outrageous generosity is to learn from it, and then give it away to others. Your choice to forgive reflects the depth of your gratitude to God for his forgiveness of your sin. The more grateful you are for his forgiveness, the more freely you will forgive those who have hurt you.

Forgiveness isn’t easy, and it isn’t to be offered lightly. After all, forgiveness is a radical choice that acknowledges the pain, grieves the sin, and then turns the situation on its head by forgiving the guilty one. Forgiveness frees you to love anew the people in your life. It opens your heart and releases you from bitterness. It gives you joy as your heart escapes from the prison of wanting to enact punishment or seek revenge.

Lord, I choose to forgive that person who hurt me. Thank you for forgiving me, amen.